Rahul leads LSG's cruise past CSK despite Dhoni fireworks
Both teams are now at eight points, level with KKR and SRH and only behind Rajasthan Royals
Both teams are now at eight points, level with KKR and SRH and only behind Rajasthan Royals
Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: @Sudarshanan7
Right then! Lucknow proves favourable for the home team. These two teams will meet again in a few days time in Chennai. But before that, Delhi Capitals play at home in Delhi for the first time this season, against SRH. Do join us for that clash tomorrow. Till the next time, ciao!
11:35pm Time for the presentation
KL Rahul, LSG captain, also the Player of the Match: "Feels good at the end of the day, When you win, looks like you make all the decisions right. Impossible to get all right. Depends on the kind of wicket we are playing on and the kind of batters there are. We spend time doing homework on tactics and strategy and we spoke about them not settling against one style of bowling. We worked really hard at training, good to see the team sticking to that. Halfway stage, I would have happy with 160. Felt the wicket was slow, a bit of grip but not too much. 160-165 would have been ideal. But MSD walks in and the bowlers feel intimidated. He walks in and bowlers were under pressure, the crowd was really loud, he has done it in the past. Felt that if we bat well, we could chase it down. I have been trying to assess the situation and today it came off. With Chennai's spinners, they tried to put brakes on us. We tried to get to a good start. Tried to take them down, luckily it came off. When your partnership goes on, you can take a few more chances. Glad that it happened. I don't think the crowd in Chennai will roar for us. I told the boys in huddle to get used to the crowd cheering for CSK because we would get it again in a few days. Looking forward to playing CSK in a couple of days."
11:18pm Super Giants join the eight-point jam in the mid-table but CSK continue to be at third. Such an easy win for LSG this, and thanks in large parts to their opening stand. Rahul and de Kock were simply outstanding. Not out-and-out aggressive but effective nonetheless. De Kock offered a chance which was not taken, Rahul, though, looked to be in superb touch. Pooran added the finishing touches to help LSG feel good about their batting. Lots to ponder about their bowling effort for CSK. Should they have bowled more spin? What could they have done differently?
Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK captain: "We finished off very well, couldn't have asked for more. But after powerplay, we couldn't kick off till 14-15th over. We lost wickets regularly and were 10-15 short. Slightly difficult to bat but with Impact Player rule you need an extra batter. With dew coming on later, felt 180-190 could have been good. [Bowling in the powerplay] is one area we would like to improve, puts opposition in the back foot if we can get wickets in the powerplay. Good to play them again soon, will come back with homework done."
Marcus Stoinis: "It was an important win for us. We will meet them in Chennai in couple of days but nice to be back on the winning way. We started well with the ball, taking early wickets. Hats off to the way they finished off, especially MS. Quinny and KL batted well to seal it. Important partnership at the top, allows us to play the rest of the innings and plan the rest of the order as well. We got the confidence in the team. There's been different boys stepping up. Bowlers bowling well, partnerships with the bat. I've said to KL, when do you need me to bowl again."
The LSG captain has sometimes played well within himself in the IPL but this season he has thrown the shackles off
CSK captain also admits lack of wickets in the powerplay has been an area of concern for his side this season
Both teams are now at eight points, level with KKR and SRH and only behind Rajasthan Royals
Dube vs LSG's spinners and Pooran vs Pathirana could be pivotal contests