Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul faced criticism from fans on social media following a slow innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Rahul, who was recently not selected in India’s T20 World Cup squad, struggled to score fluently against SRH.
The star batsman managed to score 29 runs off 33 balls at a slow strike rate of 87.87. He struggled to accelerate during the powerplay, leading to Lucknow Super Giants posting their lowest powerplay score of the season. Rahul hit the only boundary in the powerplay, a six off Pat Cummins’ delivery in the second over. Lucknow’s first four of the innings came in the 10th over.
This innings by Rahul was one of the slowest in the IPL this season among innings lasting 30 balls or more.
Lowest SR in an innings this IPL (30+ balls)
77.41 T Kotian (24 off 31) vs PK Mullanpur
87.87 KL Rahul (29 off 33) vs SRH Hyderabad
88.88 I Kishan (32 off 36) vs LSG Lucknow
91.17 S Sudharsan (31 off 34) vs PK Mullanpur
Rahul was dismissed on the final ball of the 10th over while trying to hit a big shot, getting caught by T Natarajan.
Fans on social media criticized Rahul for his slow innings.
LSG lost early wickets in the powerplay, putting pressure on Rahul, but he failed to accelerate as required.
Prior to the match, Rahul won the toss and chose to bat, making changes in the playing eleven with Quinton de Kock returning in place of Mohsin Khan.
“We will bat first. That (the pitch) plus a couple of games that have been played here. It is hard to completely forget how important this game is for both sides, but we have played enough cricket. We will focus one thing at a time, first bat well and put the runs on the board. Playing at home becomes a difference, but we play so much cricket that we know how the conditions will be. Quinton comes in, Mohsin misses out and there are a few other changes,” Rahul said.
