Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The Lucknow Super Giants have managed to win their second consecutive game of the 2022 IPL as they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 12 runs. The Super Giants made 169 for seven after struggling at 27 for three. KL Rahul played a captain’s knock with crucial contributions from Deepak Hooda who also scored a fifty.
SRH had a decent bowling performance and also had a good start to their second innings. But then Avesh Khan and Jason Holder put on the screws as they picked up the last five wickets. Holder took three wickets while Khan ended up with four wickets and won the Player of the Match award.
Changes in the points table
After the 12th match, the Lucknow Super Giants are fifth on the table with four points from three games. They also have a net run rate of +0.193. While the Sunrisers Hyderabad are at the bottom of the table with two losses from two games with a net run rate of -1.825. LSG will face the Delhi Capitals on 7 April whereas SRH is set to face Chennai Super Kings on 9 April.
Today’s Matchup
The Rajasthan Royals will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season's first Royal Derby at the Wankhede Stadium. RCB won their last match against Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets, whereas RR defeated the Mumbai Indians by 23 runs.
What did the captains say?
SRH captain, Kane Williamson talked about the few positives from their defeat. He said, “If you look at the performance, was certainly much improved from our first outing. The start with the ball was outstanding. Were in a strong position... if we could just break that next partnership. Credit to Hooda and Rahul. I suppose with the bat there were glimpses. It was close but not close enough. Looked like a good surface.”
“170 on any day is a challenge .. have to play well. But at the same time, we knew if we could build partnerships, get off to a reasonable start, we have enough firepower. Didn't quite work today. The guys with the roles they have with the ball were outstanding. It's small margins. A few ones and a few twos and the chase takes quite a different shape”, Williamson added.
LSG captain KL Rahul was extremely elated with the team’s second consecutive victory. He said, “What's been pleasing is that we have always found a way to stay in the game and give ourselves a chance to win, we did that again today. Not ideal to lose three wickets in the first four overs, it's not something that'll bring us down. that's something we need to learn as a batting group how we can play risk-free cricket."
"With the ball, we have been brilliant in all three games and that's something we need to carry ahead. You don't chat so much in the middle. You don't want to plan too much as openers. If the wicket is good, both of us go. We have the extra batter with Jason coming in, the plan is put the pressure on the opposition. That's the body language we want to carry, go out there and look to hit boundaries and sixes. If we end up losing a couple of wickets, we need to assess the conditions quickly”, he added.
“Quinton and Lewis, it didn't matter if an offie was bowling, they wanted to put pressure on him, didn't come off this game but that's something to learn. I have been playing with him (Hooda) for the last 3-4 seasons and we talk a lot. He loves batting in the nets and never comes out. He's keen to learn, he had to wait for chances and he's using them. He's become somebody whom we can rely on in the middle-order. He soaked in the pressure today and took on the bowling. Really pleased with the way he's batting. Hopefully, he can grow and get better,” KL concluded.