KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pounced on the mistakes of a self-destructing Punjab Kings (PBKS) to clinch a 20-run victory in their Indian Premier League clash on Friday (April 29).
Kagiso Rabada struck four times as PBKS upped their game in the bowling department to restrict LSG to 153 for eight. It should have been a straight forward chase but Punjab fluffed to end at 133 for eight in 20 overs.
Meanwhile, LSG captain Rahul was disappointed with the team's dismal batting performance against PBKS on Friday as he wants his batters to play more smartly.
"We played stupid cricket with the bat," said Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul after eking out a 20-run win over Punjab Kings in a low-scoring IPL game. LSG managed 153 for 8 before their bowlers rallied to restrict Punjab to 133 for eight.
"I was disappointed and fuming at the end of the first innings. Stupid cricket with the bat," Rahul said at the post match presentation.
"We need to get better with the bat. Half-time, when Quinny and Deepak were batting. They paced it really really well to get to 60 in 9 overs on a tricky wicket. Had we batted smartly, we could have gotten to 180-190.
"I think we just need to be smarter in reading the game. If we could have not played too many shots we could have done better. We have been good on the field and good with the ball. Just need to keep repeating the good things."
After an underwhelming show with the bat, LSG bowlers put up a spirited display as pacer Dushmantha Chameera (2/17) and Krunal Pandya (2/11) grabbed two wickets each.
"The way we responded with the ball was phenomenal. Krunal has been brilliant throughout the tournament. This season he has really worked on his bowling. Bowling economically is important but he has been giving us two three wickets in the middle overs," Rahul added.
Meanwhile, a disappointed PBKS skipper Mayank Agarwal too rued the dismal batting effort.
"I think we just kept losing wickets. We had batsmen who were set and we kept getting out. So many soft dismissals for us. It is disappointing and we have to face the truth. We didn't bat well enough and we were below par with the bat."
