LSG vs PBKS Review – Stand-in captain, Raza script 3rd win for Punjab
Punjab Kings secured a thrilling two-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants to register their third win in the IPL 2023 April 15. KL Rahul ended his poor form by top-scoring with 74 off 56 as Lucknow scored 159/8. Sam Curran and Kagiso Rabada shone with the ball to deny Lucknow a big total, but batters struggled for a good start in skipper Shikhar Dhawan’s absence. Debutant Yudhvir Singh took two early wickets for Lucknow, but Sikandar Raza and Shahrukh Khan helped Punjab clinch two points.
Stand-in skipper Curran won the toss for Punjab and elected to bowl first as Atharva Taide and Harpreet Bhatia won their maiden PBKS caps. Rahul and Kyle Mayers gave Lucknow a flying start with a 53-run stand, but Harpreet Brar gave Punjab an opening in the eighth over with Mayers’ wicket. Lucknow kept losing wickets from one end, but Rahul played a brilliant knock as he single-handedly guided his team to a challenging total. Rabada took two while Curran picked three wickets in the death overs to deny Lucknow a desired finish.
Yudhvir, 25, shocked Punjab Kings with Taide’s wicket on the innings’ third delivery. He further impressed with Prabhsimran Singh’s wicket in the third over to put Lucknow in the driving seat. Matthew Short quickly balanced with his quick 34 but was dismissed by K Gowtham in the sixth over. Harpreet and half-centurion Sikandar added crucial runs in the middle overs but struggled to maintain the run rate. Raza scored 57 off 41 before getting dismissed in the 18th over before Shahrukh finished the game with his unbeaten 23* off 10.
Top performers from the match:
KL Rahul: Lucknow Super Giants skipper scored 74 off 56 with the help of eight fours and a six. He did not get much support to play freely but would be glad to end his poor run of form.
Sam Curran: The young all-rounder captained Punjab Kings in Dhawan’s absence and impressed everyone. He took three wickets in the death overs to deny Lucknow a big total.
What next for both teams?
PBKS next face RCB at home on April 20 while LSG travel to Jaipur to take on table toppers Rajasthan Royals on April 19.
