The IPL 2025 season kicked off with an electrifying clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) on March 24 in Visakhapatnam. While LSG put up a formidable total of 209, it wasn’t enough to secure victory as DC snatched the win by just one wicket. The outcome of the match sparked differing opinions within the LSG camp, with assistant coach Lance Klusener contradicting captain Rishabh Pant’s assessment of their performance.
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Conflicting Views on LSG’s Performance
After the IPL match, Rishabh Pant maintained that LSG had set a strong target. He credited the top order for a solid start, emphasizing that 209 was a competitive score on the Vizag pitch. However, Klusener took a more critical stance, pointing out that LSG left crucial runs on the field and needed at least 20-30 more to be in a comfortable position.
“If I had to pinpoint the exact number, I would estimate that we failed to score 20 or 30 runs with the bat. That was probably why we ended up being under pressure with the ball,” Klusener remarked.
The Decisive Moments of the Match
LSG’s innings started on a high note, with Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran leading an explosive charge. The team was well-positioned at 133 for 2 in the 12th over and looked set to cross the 230-run mark. However, a sudden collapse in the middle and lower order prevented them from capitalizing on their strong start.
Pant, unfortunately, couldn’t contribute with the bat as he was dismissed for a duck, leaving the pressure on other batsmen. DC’s bowling unit, led by Anrich Nortje and Kuldeep Yadav, applied brakes on LSG’s run flow in the final overs, restricting them to 209.
Ashutosh Sharma’s Heroics for DC
LSG thought they had achieved enough, but DC’s Ashutosh Sharma completely changed the game. Playing an unforgettable knock, Sharma smashed 66 runs off just 31 balls, steering his team to a thrilling victory in the last over. His fearless approach dismantled LSG’s bowling attack, proving Klusener’s point that the extra runs were crucial.
“I thought DC finished well with the bat, but the reason why we were in that position was that we didn’t score enough runs,” Klusener added.
Bowling Under Pressure
Despite a promising start with the ball, LSG’s bowling unit struggled to contain DC’s aggressive batting in the death overs. Klusener acknowledged that while the pitch had something for both batters and bowlers, his team’s inexperience in handling crunch moments led to their downfall.
“There was a little bit in there for everybody. I thought the bowling was a little bit rougher than the batting, but with the experience and batting power we have, I think we left a few runs out there,” Klusener said.
Looking Ahead: LSG vs SRH
Lucknow Super Giants don’t have much time to dwell on the loss, as they are set to face the high-scoring Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 27. With SRH’s strong batting lineup, LSG will need to tighten their game plan, both in terms of scoring runs and executing effective bowling strategies.
Klusener remains optimistic about the team’s future, stressing the importance of learning from this loss. “We play in three days’ time, so we’ve got to make sure the youngsters stay positive. We need to keep them believing in their ability,” he said.
While Rishabh Pant’s confidence in LSG’s total was commendable, Klusener’s insight into the match highlighted the gaps in their performance. The defeat against DC served as a crucial reminder for the team, underscoring the significance of concluding with a strong bat and ball performance. As LSG prepares for their next battle, all eyes will be on how they adapt and come back stronger in IPL 2025.
By – Jyothi
