Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) suffered a 5-wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a thrilling encounter at Ekana Stadium. Despite being in a strong position at one point, with CSK reeling at 111 for 5 in 15 overs while chasing a target of 167, a crucial decision by LSG captain Rishabh Pant turned the tide in favor of CSK, leaving fans frustrated.
The Mistake That Changed the Game
The match was set up for a dramatic finish when LSG's star spinner, Ravi Bishnoi, was in top form, taking 2 wickets for just 18 runs in 3 overs. Bishnoi had already dismissed key CSK batsmen Rahul Tripathi and Ravindra Jadeja, and the spin-friendly pitch seemed perfect for him to continue making an impact. However, much to everyone’s surprise, Pant chose not to give Bishnoi the fourth over, despite his success. Instead, he opted to bowl with Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur, both of whom couldn’t build on the pressure that Bishnoi had created.
This decision backfired badly. MS Dhoni’s quickfire 26 runs from just 11 balls guided CSK to victory, leaving LSG frustrated and with a bitter sense of what might have been.
Pant's Explanation
After the match, Pant explained his decision, stating, “I thought of giving the fourth over to Ravi Bishnoi many times, but I discussed with other players and thought of taking the match a little deeper.” This strategy, however, proved costly as CSK capitalized on the opportunity to chase down the target with just 3 balls to spare.
Bishnoi's Perspective
Ravi Bishnoi, while acknowledging the captain’s decision, shared his thoughts in the post-match press conference. He mentioned, “I didn’t really talk to Pant about this, but I went to the pitch many times. I think he had a plan that he wanted to fulfill. The captain is in a better position and he also does wicketkeeping, so he understands things better. According to me, he took the decision that he felt was better.”
Despite Bishnoi's supportive tone, it's clear that many fans felt Pant's decision not to trust his most effective bowler in a crucial moment cost Lucknow the match.
In the end, Dhoni’s leadership and decisive batting helped CSK seal a vital victory, but Pant’s decision-making and the failure to bowl Bishnoi in the final overs left many questioning what could have been if the strategy had been different.
