Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul refused to read too much into his side’s 20-run loss to the Rajasthan Royals in their season-opening IPL 2024 match, admitting that no team has been able to crack the Powerplay code in the first week so far. The two bouncer per over rule was implemented in the IPL this season, and LSG were bounced out in the opening six overs of their 194-run chase, dropping them to 47 for 3. Rajasthan Royals were slightly better, scoring 54 for 2 in their first six overs. Both Devdutt Padikkal and Rahul needed to undergo concussion protocols after being hit on the helmet by Trent Boult.
“It is just the first game and I am not going to make too much out of it or over-analyse,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation ceremony. “Powerplay is crucial for every team, and I don’t think any team has cracked it yet. Mohsin was our powerplay bowler in the first season, but he wasn’t fully fit last season. Good to see him back. Naveen has been crucial for us since he has come in,” he said.
Rahul felt that 194 wasn’t a big target on the Sawai Man Singh track. “I don’t think the target was a lot. It was just 10 over par. We bowled well in patches. Just made a few mistakes.” The fact that his team was able to chase down a 194-run mark after losing three quick wickets was a huge positive for the captain. “We will learn from the small mistakes we made. When we are three [down] for nothing, and we give ourselves a chance of chasing 194 speaks of our line-up. “But we need to find ways to win games of cricket. We’ll try to build from here, and see where we can get stronger,” Rahul said.
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“When you get runs, you always feel good. But it’s important for us to end up on the winning side. That gives more satisfaction.” He also praised Justin Langer for bringing peace to the locker room. Langer’s brought a lot of calmness to the group. I stole his line when I said we need to find ways to win games of cricket. We enjoy having him around. “All of us have watched him coach Australia to a T20 World Cup win and an Ashes victory,” Rahul praised his coach.
Source Agencies
