In IPL 2023, Lucknow Super Giants suffered a massive 56-run defeat against Gujarat Titans. At one stage the team had scored 114 runs losing one wicket in 12.1 overs and it seemed that the team would easily achieve the target of 228 runs. However, this did not happen, after which the series of wickets started, the Lucknow team could not recover from it and this also had a great impact on the run rate.
Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, and Ayush Badoni could not do much. In 20 overs, the Lucknow team could score only 171 runs after losing seven wickets. After the match, now former India opener Virender Sehwag questioned the Lucknow team management including Andy Flower, Gautam Gambhir, and captain Krunal Pandya. He has asked, whose decision was it to suddenly change the batting order?
Sehwag said- At one time, Lucknow had scored 102 runs in 10 overs after losing one wicket. After this, the team should not have lost by such a margin (difference of runs). After the first wicket, I think an informed batsman should have come on the field. Be it Pooran or Stoinis or Captain Krunal himself or Ayush Badoni, who scored quick runs in the last match against Chennai.
But who came? Deepak Hooda?
Sehwag feels that the Lucknow team management always makes mistakes when it comes to picking the right batting line-up while chasing a mammoth 200-plus target. Sehwag felt that Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni should have come up to bat as the target was tough to chase. Sehwag said- the Lucknow team had lost that match at that moment. It was a big mistake from LSG. Had Nicholas Pooran come there, the way he plays, he probably could have scored 50 off 20 balls and changed the game. If you need 100 runs in five overs, you cannot win in that situation.
Sehwag said- Ayush Badoni scored 21 runs in 11 balls. If he had come on time, he could have increased the pace of scoring runs. Whose decision was it to send Deepak Hooda at number three? Captain? Coach? Or Team Management? The in-form batsman should have been sent there. In the absence of KL Rahul, Krunal Pandya has been given the command of the team. Although Krunal does not have much captaincy experience in the IPL, this is his first time captaining a team in the league. However, Lucknow is still third in the points table with five wins, five losses, and 11 draws. If Krunal has to qualify his team for the playoffs, then he will have to captain wisely in the matches ahead.
(pc amarujala)
