IPL 2023, LSG v SRH: KL Rahul, Krunal Pandya shine as Lucknow win slow pitch battle vs SunRisers

Lucknow Super Giants came up with an all-round masterclass on a slow pitch at the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium at home.

As they handed an 5-wicket thrashing to SunRisers Hyderabad on Friday, April 7. The KL Rahul-led side moved to the top of the 10-team IPL 2023 points table with their second successive win at home.

It was a commanding performance from Lucknow Super Giants, who bounced back from their 12-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Sunday as they clinched their 2nd win in 3 matches. LSG leapfrogged defending champions Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, both of whom have won 2 in 2 in IPL 2023.

Despite not having Mark Wood (illness), Avesh Khan (injury) and Quinton de Kock, Lucknow Super Giants showcased their match-winning ability as they comfortably outclassed SunRisers Hyderabad, who are rooted to the bottom of the points table with 2 successive losses.

Lucknow Super Giants packed their bowling line-up with spinners as they added 40-year-old Amit Mishra to the mix, making it a 3-man spin-bowling unit with Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi. The trio picked up 6 wickets between them, conceding just 57 runs in 12 overs as SunRisers were choked by spin on a sluggish pitch in Lucknow.

KRUNAL LEADS SPIN SHOW
SunRisers Hyderabad, who won the toss and opted to bat, managed just 121 for 8 in 20 overs as Krunal Pandya shone with figures of 3 for 18 in 4 overs, running through their top-order. Krunal picked up the big wickets, including that of SRH’s new captain Aiden Markram, who fell for a golden duck, and Mayank Agarwal.

On the other hand, Ravi Bishnoi picked the crucial wicket of England’s batting star Harry Brook, who was out stumped for 3. It was the second successive failure for SRH’s costliest signing in the IPL 2023 auction.

Rahul Tripathi (35) and opener Anmolpreet Singh (31) chipped in with handy contributions in the top-order but SunRisers struggled to get used to the pace of the pitch and were strangled by the Lucknow spinners, who operated with guile and class.

Washington Sundar hit 16 but it came of 28 balls as SunRisers did not have the momentum at any stage through their innings. Abdul Samad hit 2 sixes in the final over to play a cameo of 21 (10 balls) and take SunRisers past 120.

However, the total was not enough as KL Rahul led the way for Lucknow Super Giants, showing more intent than SunRisers on the pitch.

RAHUL, PANDYA GET JOB DONE
Kyle Mayers hit only 13 from 14 balls after two successive fifties but he did his job well in a brisk 36-run opening stand with his captain.

Deepak Hooda hit a six but he fell in the powerplay to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, Lucknow were 45 for 2 at the end of the 6-over mark, getting the start that they had hoped for.

Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul stitched a 55-run stand while the all-rounder showing intent for his 23-ball 34. Krunal took the attack to the SunRisers bowlers and hit a six and 4 boundaries.

Krunal was dismissed in the 13th over by Umran Malik but by the time the all-rounder fell, Lucknow had one foot on the finish line.

Rahul fell for 35 and Romario Shepherd fell in successive deliveries in the 15th over as Adil Rashid provided some relief for SunRisers but it was not enough as the home team chased down the target in the 16th over.

Nicholas Pooran finished it off with a winning six as Lucknow rejoiced their dominant win over a hapless SunRisers side.

Lucknow will be looking to build on the early momentum when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore away from home on Monday, April 10.

On the other hand, SunRisers Hyderabad have very litte time to reflect and correct course as they face in-form Punjab Kings at home on Sunday, April 9.