New Delhi, April 27: Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Dasgupta has raised concerns over the strategic decisions made by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) following their loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Super Over. He criticized the choice to send Nicholas Pooran to bat before Mitchell Marsh, especially given Pooran’s poor form.
In an interview with ‘GeoStar’, Dasgupta stated, “LSG should have secured victories against both Rajasthan Royals and KKR. I understand that the pitch was challenging against KKR, but one would expect them to chase down 156 runs comfortably. Failing to achieve such a target with their batting order is detrimental to the team’s morale.”
He further emphasized, “You know your batsmen are struggling, and sending Pooran to bat before Marsh in the Super Over was a significant mistake. Marsh has been your top scorer this season. Ideally, Marsh, Himmat Singh, and Aiden Markram should have been the three batsmen in the Super Over.”
Dasgupta warned that losing close matches like this could severely impact the team’s season. “Consistently losing tight matches in T20 cricket can ruin a team’s season. LSG needs to quickly rectify their batting order and decision-making abilities, or they risk missing out on the playoffs.”
Chasing a target of 156 runs set by KKR, LSG had a disastrous start. Mitchell Marsh was dismissed for just 2 runs. Aiden Markram and Rishabh Pant managed to form a partnership worth 57 runs off 55 balls for the second wicket. Markram scored 31 runs off 27 balls, while Pant contributed 42 runs off 38 balls before falling to Sunil Narine.
Nicholas Pooran failed to make an impact, scoring only 9 runs. Ayush Badoni also couldn’t capitalize on a good start, returning to the pavilion after scoring 24 runs. In the final overs, Himmat Singh scored 19 runs, and Mohammad Shami hit a six on the last ball of LSG’s innings, taking the match to the Super Over with an unbeaten 11 runs.
In the Super Over, LSG sent out Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram. However, Pooran was clean bowled by Sunil Narine on the very first ball, and Markram returned to the pavilion on the third ball. LSG managed to score just 1 run in the Super Over. Rinku Singh, batting for KKR, hit a four on the first ball, securing victory for KKR.
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