Lucknow Super Giants received big setbacks through injuries to captain KL Rahul and Jaydev Unadkat. Rahul limped off the ground after having injured either his right hamstring or quad when chasing a ball in the second over against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Unadkat injured his left shoulder after landing on the elbow in his follow-through in the nets on Sunday.
While an update on Rahul was awaited, LSG were awaiting a word on whether Unadkat needs to travel to Mumbai for scans. Krunal Pandya took up captaincy duties in Rahul's absence.
Apart from being the captain, Rahul is the second-highest run-scorer for LSG in this IPL. It was immediately apparent it was a serious injury when Rahul pulled up during the chase in the outfield after Faf du Plessis steered the ball towards the boundary. He went down immediately, and waited for medical attention. The support staff was so worried about it they immediately called for a stretcher to help him off the field.
In what was small consolation for LSG, Rahul hobbled off without the stretcher, but not without some assistance for support. Not only LSG, but even the India team will look closely at the injuries as both are part of the squad for the World Test Championship final in early June in England.
See you back on the field soon @JDUnadkat
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 1, 2023
Wishing a quick recovery to the left-arm pacer #TATAIPL | #LSGvRCB pic.twitter.com/w57d7DMadN
Unadkat was bowling around the wicket in the nets when in his follow through his left foot got stuck in the rope that keeps the nets up. He had a nasty fall on his elbow, and was seen with his arm in a sling with an ice pack on his left shoulder. It is learnt that he will remain in Lucknow for now, and is in touch with the BCCI medical staff, awaiting instructions on whether he needs to travel to the NCA in Bengaluru or elsewhere for further consultation. It is understood that while the shoulder remains sore, there is no dislocation.
*Rahul later limped out to bat at No. 11 in the 19th over of the chase as the asking rate crept up for LSG. He could not score off the three balls he faced as his team went down by 18 runs. Krunal wasn't sure but said after the game that Rahul might have hurt his hip flexor and "the medical team will assess him and see how it goes."
Rahul led LSG to the playoffs in their debut season; they were hoping to reach the top of the points table with a win in Lucknow.
*1810 GMT: The story was updated after KL Rahul walked out to bat in the second innings.