Cricket

Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) hopes of reaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs have dwindled after their defeat to Delhi Capitals. With just one game remaining, LSG's fate is no longer in their own hands.LSG's poor run-rate has been a major factor in their struggles. After their 10-wicket loss to SunRisers Hyderabad, their run-rate plummeted to -0.769. Following their defeat to DC, it has further deteriorated to -0.787. This is the worst run-rate among the four teams vying for the fourth playoff spot.The team's recent performances have also been marred by controversy. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka's animated discussion with captain KL Rahul after their loss to SunRisers Hyderabad was caught on camera, leading to widespread criticism.Despite their struggles, LSG still have a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs. However, they would need to win their last match by a significant margin and hope that two of CSK, SRH, and RCB lose their games by equally large margins.If LSG fails to qualify for the playoffs, it is likely that Rahul will leave the franchise. Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore are considered the frontrunners to acquire his services.

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant believes his one-match suspension for a slow-over rate offense may have cost his team a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs. Pant missed the crucial match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, which DC lost by 47 runs, impacting their net run rate."I wouldn't say we would have definitely won the game if I had played, but we had a better chance of qualifying if I had played in the last game," Pant said after DC's 19-run win over Lucknow Super Giants.DC's inconsistent start to the season was compounded by injuries to key players like Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, and David Warner. "We started the season with a lot of hope, but there were injuries and ups and downs," Pant said. "But as a franchise, you can't complain all the time; you have to make use of what you have."Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul attributed his team's struggles to losing wickets in the powerplay. "This has been a problem right through the season - we keep losing a lot of wickets in the powerplay, we never get a solid start to get the likes of Stoinis and Pooran in," Rahul said. "That is the big reason why we are in this position."DC's fate now depends on the results of other matches. If they qualify for the playoffs, they will face a tough challenge against the top teams.

Delhi Capitals (DC) secured a crucial 19-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their final group stage match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The win keeps DC's hopes of a top-four finish alive, albeit mathematically.LSG, who have one game remaining against Mumbai Indians, are not yet eliminated, but both teams will need favorable results from other matches to qualify for the playoffs.Chasing a challenging target of 209, LSG found themselves in a precarious position at 44 for 4. However, Nicholas Pooran's blistering 61 and Arshad Khan's unbeaten 58 at number eight brought them back into contention.Pooran's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he smashed six fours and four sixes in his 34-ball knock. Khan, meanwhile, played a responsible innings, anchoring the chase and hitting five fours and two sixes in his 41-ball stay.Despite their valiant efforts, LSG fell short in the final over. Rasikh Salam, who had conceded 14 runs in his previous over, defended 20 runs in the final six deliveries to secure the victory for DC.Earlier, DC had posted a competitive total of 208 for 4, thanks to half-centuries from Lalit Yadav (58) and Phil Salt (57). Rovman Powell also chipped in with a quickfire 35 off 18 balls.For LSG, Naveen-ul-Haq was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 for 51. Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan also picked up a wicket each.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul won the toss and elected to bowl first against Delhi Capitals (DC) in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) match in New Delhi on May 14. The match was a must-win for both teams, as they were fighting for a playoff spot.DC skipper Rishabh Pant returned to the side after serving a one-match suspension, while Gulbadin Naib also made a comeback. However, David Warner and Prithvi Shaw missed out due to injuries. LSG, on the other hand, brought in Arshad Khan and Yudhvir Singh Charak.LSG's decision to bowl first proved to be a good one, as they restricted DC to a modest total of 149/7 in their 20 overs. Avesh Khan was the pick of the bowlers for LSG, taking 3/30, while Mohsin Khan and Ravi Bishnoi chipped in with two wickets each.In reply, LSG got off to a solid start, with openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. However, DC fought back with regular wickets, and LSG found themselves in trouble at 103/5 in the 15th over.Marcus Stoinis and Deepak Hooda then came to the rescue for LSG, stitching together a crucial 46-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Stoinis played a blistering knock of 38 off 25 balls, while Hooda contributed with a steady 24 off 29 balls.With 10 runs needed off the final over, LSG's hopes rested on Krunal Pandya. The all-rounder held his nerve and hit a six off the first ball to seal a thrilling victory for his team.The win was a huge boost for LSG's playoff hopes, as they moved up to fourth place in the standings. DC, on the other hand, suffered a setback in their quest for a top-four finish.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs fast approaching, the race for the top four intensifies with only seven league-stage matches remaining. After the rain-abandoned match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans, KKR has secured a top-two finish, while Gujarat, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians have been eliminated.Six teams remain in contention for the playoffs:* Kolkata Knight Riders (19 points, 1 match left)* Rajasthan Royals (18 points, 2 matches left)* Chennai Super Kings (18 points, 2 matches left)* Royal Challengers Bangalore (12 points, 1 match left)* Delhi Capitals (12 points, 1 match left)* Lucknow Super Giants (12 points, 1 match left)On Tuesday, Delhi Capitals host Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial match that could significantly impact the playoff race.If Lucknow Super Giants Win:* Delhi Capitals will be eliminated from playoff contention.* Lucknow's chances of qualifying will improve, but they will need to beat Mumbai Indians in their last match and hope that Sunrisers Hyderabad lose both their remaining matches.If Delhi Capitals Win:* Delhi will remain in the playoff race, but their hopes will depend on results in other matches.* They will need Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants to lose their remaining matches.* Sunrisers Hyderabad will also need to lose their last two games with big margins for Delhi to qualify.The remaining matches will be crucial in determining the final four teams that will advance to the playoffs. With every win and loss, the playoff scenarios continue to change, making the race for the top four an exciting and unpredictable affair.

Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants face off in a crucial encounter on Tuesday, with both teams vying for a playoff berth. DC's hopes are slim, requiring a resounding victory and a series of favorable results. LSG, on the other hand, has a better chance but needs to improve their net run rate.LSG's batting has been sluggish, averaging 8.35 runs per over, while their bowlers have taken the fewest wickets in IPL 2024. They face a formidable challenge in Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC's explosive opener who boasts an impressive boundary percentage and strike rate.DC welcomes back Rishabh Pant after his suspension, likely replacing Kumar Kushagra. LSG may introduce Mohsin Khan, who missed the previous game due to injury.Fraser-McGurk and KL Rahul are key players to watch. Fraser-McGurk has been a revelation, while Rahul needs to rediscover his form to lead LSG to the playoffs.Statistically, DC has a slight edge over LSG, having won their most recent encounter. Pant has a strong record against Krunal Pandya but struggles against Ravi Bishnoi. Axar Patel could be a valuable asset against Rahul and Stoinis.The Arun Jaitley Stadium has been a high-scoring venue, with teams batting first averaging over 250 runs. The forecast predicts a warm evening, providing favorable conditions for batting.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) assistant coach Lance Klusener has downplayed the recent public outburst by team owner Sanjiv Goenka towards skipper KL Rahul, describing it as a "storm in a teacup." Klusener emphasized that he sees no issue with "robust discussions between two cricket lovers."Despite speculations about Rahul's future as LSG captain, Klusener stated that there have been "certainly no discussions around" the matter. He defended Rahul's performance, acknowledging that the IPL has been challenging for the opener due to the team's inconsistent batting."KL has got his own unique style which has made him a fantastic player," Klusener said. "This IPL has been exceptionally tough for him because we've kept losing wickets at stages which hasn't allowed him to kick on where he likes."Klusener expressed confidence that Rahul is capable of a big knock and that the team is supporting him. He also acknowledged that the bowling unit underperformed in their recent loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, but attributed it to a combination of exceptional batting and poor execution.With LSG's playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Klusener emphasized the need for consistency. "We've been just a little bit inconsistent by our own high standards," he said. "We just need to deal with the fact of where we are now and make sure that we become consistent."

Lucknow Super Giants Owner's Outburst Sparks Debate on Team OwnershipLucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka's heated exchange with skipper KL Rahul and head coach Justin Langer following their humiliating defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has ignited a discussion about the appropriate role of team owners in professional sports.LSG's dismal performance, where openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head chased down a 166-run target in a mere 9.4 overs, prompted Goenka's outburst. The incident has drawn criticism from former India batter Virender Sehwag, who believes that team owners should refrain from expressing anger towards players or staff."The owner's role should be to motivate players, not to question them or get angry," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz. "Coaches and captains run the team, so it's better for owners to stay out of it."Sehwag, who served as mentor for Punjab Kings from 2016 to 2018, emphasized that team owners are primarily concerned with profit and loss. However, he argued that in the case of IPL franchises, where profits are guaranteed, owners should focus on supporting the team rather than interfering."These owners are businessmen who only understand profit and loss," Sehwag said. "But in the IPL, there is no loss, so what's bothering them? They're earning a huge profit. Their job should be to motivate the players, not to create unnecessary pressure."Sehwag also pointed out that players have options in the IPL and can easily move to other franchises if they feel disrespected or undervalued. "If you lose a player, your chances of winning are zero," he said. "When I left Punjab, they were fifth. They never came fifth in any other seasons."Sehwag's comments have resonated with many fans and experts, who believe that team owners should respect the authority of coaches and players and avoid creating a hostile environment. The incident has highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between ownership involvement and team autonomy in professional sports.

Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) dismal performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has raised serious concerns about their playoff hopes. The 10-wicket defeat, achieved by SRH in just 9.4 overs, exposed LSG's lackluster approach and prompted a heated confrontation between the team owner and skipper KL Rahul.According to a report in the Indian Express, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was particularly displeased with the team's conservative batting strategy. Despite playing on a pitch that offered little assistance to bowlers, LSG managed to score only 165 runs. In contrast, SRH's openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, played with an aggressive intent, scoring at strike rates of 296.66 and 267.85 respectively.Goenka confronted Rahul, questioning his team's style of play and lack of intent. Rahul, who scored a sluggish 29 runs from 33 balls, reportedly remained composed during the conversation. However, behind closed doors, there were discussions about Rahul's role as captain.Rahul is the highest-paid player at LSG, earning INR 17 crore annually. Under his leadership, the team finished 2nd and 3rd in previous seasons. However, their performance this season has been disappointing, and they may fail to qualify for the playoffs.While there is no immediate talk of sacking Rahul as captain, Goenka has a history of making such decisions. As the owner of the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants, he removed MS Dhoni as captain and appointed Steve Smith in his place.The confrontation between Goenka and Rahul highlights the growing pressure on LSG to improve their performance. With only a few matches remaining in the season, the team needs to find a way to rediscover their winning ways and secure a playoff berth.