The IPL 2024 entertainment train continues to run. We saw another last-over finish on March 24. Chasing 194, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ultimately fell short, but LSG skipper KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran showed incredible fight to take their side to the total. But, after three powerplay strikes by Trent Boult and Nandre Burger, it was always going to be tough for the Super Giants to win.
Sanju Samson leads from the front
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper was in fine form today. After promoting himself up the order, the wicketkeeper batter ended up as his side’s highest scorer (82). Coming in to bat at three, he stitched two big partnerships. He scored 93 runs with Riyan Parag and then a 43-run stand with Dhruv Jurel to take his team to 193.
He was provided ample support by Parag, whose place in the team has been under threat after poor performances in previous seasons. The 22-year-old struck three sixes and one four, ensuring their run rate never went below 9 when he was batting. But ultimately, it was Samson who navigated the team from 13/1 to 193/4.
Trent Boult blows LSG’s top order & KL Rahul struggles to find form
The new ball magician, Trent Boult, worked his magic in the second inning. He sent two of LSG’s three top-order batters back into the hut, getting Quinton de Kock caught at long leg while he set up Devdutt Padikkal with a smart short-ball setup.
As for KL Rahul, he failed to find his form upon his return to cricket after two months. With wickets tumbling from the other end, he seemed to have gone into his shell and failed to come out. He was 25 off 25 at one point and eventually scored 58 off 44 balls, but couldn’t take his side across the line.
