Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant has taken a few brave calls this season which have turned the game around. But, on April 14, his decision to not use Ravi Bishnoi against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni and exploit his spin issue raised a few eyebrows. Dhoni did not face any problems against spin and hit four fours, one six in his unbeaten 11-ball 26 to take CSK over the line and end their streak of losses this season. Meanwhile, Ravi Bishnoi who took two crucial wickets and was economical as well did not to bowl his fourth over. After the match, Bishnoi revealed he went to the wicket for an over but respected Pant's decision. He defended his captain and said that the wicketkeeper had clear plans.
"I came to the wicket twice, but maybe he had some plans in mind. He probably wanted to execute something else... according to me, a captain can see better and from behind the stumps, he can understand the situation better. So according to me, he took the decision that felt better to him," Bishnoi said LSG's five-wicket defeat.
"No, nothing like that [talk about the fourth over]. It was clear in his mind [what he had to do]. In a tense situation, it is better for a captain to think from his point of view so he took what was the better decision," he added.
Pant's explanation on not using Bishnoi against Dhoni
After the match, Pant said that he wanted to keep Bishnoi for last. However, the last over was bowled by Avesh Khan who had five runs to defend.
"We discussed with a lot of players, but we couldn't take him (Bishnoi) deeper, that (bowling his last over) didn't happen today," the southpaw said in the post-match presentation.
LSG pacers disappoint spinners
LSG pacers were lacklustre at their home venue. Shardul Thakur went for 56 in his four overs. Akash Deep bowled just one over and conceded 13 runs. Avesh concede 32 runs from 3.3 overs. He took the wicket of young opener Shaik Rasheed.
On the other hand, spinners were impressive. In-form Digvesh Singh Rathi bowled four overs, conceded 23 runs and claimed Vijay Shankar's wicket. Off-spinner Aiden Markram bowled his quota of four overs as well and conceded 25 runs. He got the prized wicket of opener Rachin Ravindra.
This is LSG's third defeat of the season. They are still placed fourth on the points table. They will now travel to Jaipur and take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 19.