In a low-scoring game highlighted by below-par batsmanship, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs at the Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow on Monday.
In reply to RCB’s paltry 126/9 after they won the toss and batted first, the Super Giants were bundled out for 108 with a ball to spare.
Agreed, the Lucknow pitch hasn’t been too easy for stroke-making, specially when it comes to hitting through the line. On this occasion, the surface appeared quite sluggish as well.
That said, it doesn’t justify the poor batting and absolute lack of application from both teams. RCB openers Virat Kohli (31) and Faf du Plessis (44), in spite of their 62-run opening stand, didn’t look too comfortable out there in the middle.
But the ones who followed them thereafter, including the in-form Glenn Maxwell, were injudicious in terms of their shot selection.
The Super Giants spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Amit Mishra exploited the conditions well by striking twice each before Afghanistan quick Naveen-ul-Haq (3/30) cleaned up the opponents’ lower order.
In reply, not even one of the Super Giants batters showed the minimum amount of patience that was required on that tricky surface. The RCB bowlers, though, had no reason to complain.
Pacer Josh Hazlewood, in his first appearance since the Sydney Test versus South Africa in January, and leg-spinner Karn Sharma had two scalps each while Mohammed Siraj, Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga and Impact Player Harshal Patel were also amongst wickets.
Rahul injury
It was in the second over of the game when Super Giants’ captain KL Rahul pulled his hip flexor while chasing the ball that headed towards the boundary. As he was down on the ground, Rahul was seen struggling to get up before a couple of members of the Super Giants backroom staff helped him walk off the ground.
Rahul did come out to bat after the fall of the Super Giants’ ninth wicket. But he looked very much in discomfort.
Along with the Super Giants, the Indian team management would also hope Rahul’s condition improves fast as there’s just over a month left for the June 7-11 World Test Championship final.
