Cricket

KL Rahul's T20 Evolution: Guidance from the GreatsLucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul has attributed his growth as a T20 cricketer to the invaluable mentorship he received from some of the game's legends. In an interview with Star Sports' Captains Speak, Rahul acknowledged the profound impact of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Kane Williamson on his understanding of the format.Rahul's journey to T20 mastery was not without its challenges. It took him several years to fully grasp the nuances of the game. However, his time spent with Kohli and de Villiers at Royal Challengers Bengaluru proved to be a transformative experience."T20 gets over very quickly, you don't get much time," Rahul explained. "It took me 2-3 years to understand how I can bat in T20 and how I can be successful. Just being around really great players in the IPL helped me."While he may not have engaged in extensive conversations with Kohli and de Villiers, Rahul's keen observation of their preparation, mindset, and approach to the game proved invaluable. "I was with them in RCB. I used to see how they prepared, how they were playing their cricket, and what their mindset was. Sometimes I would go and talk to them, ask them questions. That really helped me," he said.Rahul also highlighted the influence of Kane Williamson during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad. "Kane Williamson is another guy. With Sunrisers, I spent a lot of time with him. And just by talking to people, I found my own way. Earlier, I used to feel nervous about the game, but I ended up getting my highest score."In the ongoing IPL 2024 season, Rahul has been in scintillating form, amassing 378 runs in nine matches, including three half-centuries and a highest score of 82. His performances have not only been impressive with the bat but also behind the stumps, solidifying his credentials as a potential wicket-keeping option for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.As the captain of LSG, Rahul has led his team to five victories, proving his leadership qualities and determination to guide his side to the playoffs. The right-hander's next challenge lies ahead as LSG prepare to face Mumbai Indians in the 48th match of IPL 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, KL Rahul has a crucial opportunity to solidify his claim as the second wicketkeeper for Team India when Lucknow Super Giants face Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League on April 30. Rahul's strike rate in T20 cricket has been a subject of debate, with critics pointing to his slow starts in the Powerplay. However, the LSG captain has shown signs of improvement this season, scoring 378 runs at a strike rate of 144.27.While Rishabh Pant has all but sealed the first wicketkeeper's spot with his impressive performances behind the stumps and with the bat, Sanju Samson has also made a strong case for himself with his match-winning knocks for Rajasthan Royals. In this scenario, Rahul needs to play more aggressively and capitalize on the field restrictions to not only strengthen his Indian team selection prospects but also help his side score in excess of 200 runs, which has become a norm in this edition of the IPL.LSG suffered a seven-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals, who chased down the 197-run target with six balls to spare. The onus will be on the team's big-hitting trio of Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, and Nicholas Pooran to deliver maximums and set match-winning totals. They will fancy their chances against a struggling Mumbai bowling unit that was taken apart by the Delhi Capitals batters recently.Mumbai Indians find themselves in a precarious position, sitting ninth on the points table. They need to win all their remaining matches to stay alive in the competition. The five-time champions need to fire as a unit, with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and premier T20 batter Suryakumar Yadav looking to find their rhythm and churn out consistent performances ahead of the World Cup. All-rounder Hardik Pandya has flopped with both bat and ball this season, but he will be hoping to make amends and secure a spot in the World Cup squad.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul has expressed regret over his team's failure to maximize their batting potential in their home game against Rajasthan Royals (RR), which resulted in a narrow defeat."We left about 20 runs behind," Rahul admitted after the match. "We didn't get off to an ideal start, but the partnership that Deepak Hooda and I had got us on track."LSG had stumbled to 11 for 2 before Rahul and Hooda steadied the innings with a 115-run stand off 62 balls. However, Rahul believes they could have pushed the total even higher."Once we were set, that's the time when if Hooda could have pushed on and gotten 20 more runs, and if I could have pushed on and gotten 20 more runs, we could've probably finished at 220," Rahul said. "We're seeing with more games being played that it's important for the batters to make sure we give that extra cushion for the bowlers."RR bowled well in the last couple of overs, but Rahul felt LSG should have capitalized more on their strong position at 150 for 3 after 15 overs."They [RR] bowled well in the last couple of overs, but we were in a good position at 150 for 3 by the end of the 15th over," Rahul said. "So, I think we should have capitalised a bit more and got about 20-25 runs more."Rahul also explained the team's decision to bring in legspinner Amit Mishra as the Impact Player and hold back Ravi Bishnoi, who has been a regular in the LSG lineup."Mishra is an experienced player, and we've been thinking about using him from the first game," Rahul said. "Today was the day where we felt like he could be useful against their batters in the middle [order] with how slow he bowls and the slightly larger boundary. That was the idea of using him, and we were hoping to use Bishnoi in the latter half."However, the plan didn't quite work out as RR kept the pressure on LSG's bowlers."But once the runs kept flowing - even when they lost wickets, they just made sure that they put pressure on our bowlers... There was a period of two or three overs where Krunal bowled really well, and we really squeezed them hard," Rahul said."But then, once the faster bowlers came on, they [the batters] used the pace really well, and I couldn't find a good time to bring in Bishnoi, and I think it was a bit too late by the time I got him on. Obviously, the plan was to keep him at the back end and make sure if Rovman [Powell] and [Shimron] Hetmyer come in to bat, he's bowled well against them. That was the plan of how we wanted to use our legspinners."

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will host Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a highly anticipated clash in match 44 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday.LSG, led by captain KL Rahul, will enter the game with momentum after their thrilling victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a high-scoring encounter. With five wins and three losses, LSG currently sits fourth in the IPL 2024 standings with 10 points.On the other hand, RR, under the leadership of Sanju Samson, has been the most dominant team in the tournament so far. Having registered seven victories and suffered just one defeat, RR tops the IPL 2024 standings with 14 points.Predicted XIs:LSG:* Quinton de Kock* KL Rahul (c/wk)* Marcus Stoinis* Nicholas Pooran* Deepak Hooda* Ayush Badoni* Krunal Pandya* Matt Henry* Ravi Bishnoi* Mohsin Khan* Yash ThakurRR:* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Jos Buttler* Sanju Samson (c/wk)* Riyan Parag* Dhruv Jurel* Shimron Hetmyer* Rovman Powell* Ravichandran Ashwin* Trent Boult* Avesh Khan* Yuzvendra ChahalKey Players to Watch:* LSG: KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran* RR: Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Yuzvendra ChahalMatch Preview:The clash between LSG and RR promises to be a thrilling encounter. LSG will rely on their explosive batting lineup, led by Rahul and Stoinis, to set a challenging total. RR, on the other hand, boasts a formidable bowling attack, spearheaded by Chahal and Boult, who will aim to restrict LSG's scoring.The match will also be a test of character for both teams. LSG will look to maintain their winning momentum, while RR will aim to extend their dominance at the top of the standings.

The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas, and the selection panel is facing several dilemmas in finalizing the 15-member squad. One of the key decisions is the choice of the second wicketkeeper, with KL Rahul and Sanju Samson vying for the spot. Rahul, who has scored 302 runs at a strike rate of 141, has a slight edge over Samson, who has amassed 314 runs at a strike rate of 152. Rahul's versatility and range of strokes may give him the upper hand.Another area of debate is the selection of an additional bowler. Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel are all in contention. Avesh has impressed with his improved death bowling, while Bishnoi has been economical on flat tracks. Axar, on the other hand, offers all-round abilities with his batting and fielding. The selection will depend on the conditions in the West Indies.Hardik Pandya's inconsistent batting form is also a concern. As a designated finisher, he has hit only seven sixes in eight games for Mumbai Indians, and his strike rate of 142 is below par. However, he remains a valuable option due to his all-round abilities.The selection panel is expected to finalize the squad by the end of this month, with the ICC's May 1 deadline for the announcement of 15-member squads looming. Skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to meet with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar to discuss the team's framework.

KL Rahul, the skipper of Lucknow Super Giants, has been delivering consistent performances in the ongoing IPL. With 302 runs in 8 matches, including two half-centuries, he has played a crucial role in his team's success. As the IPL progresses, Rahul's focus is not only on leading LSG to victory but also on securing his spot as India's wicketkeeper in the upcoming T20 World Cup.Recently, Sourav Ganguly, the Director of Cricket for Delhi Capitals, shared his insights on Rahul's performance and offered valuable advice. Ganguly emphasized the importance of playing fearlessly and aggressively in T20 cricket. He advised Rahul to "just go and hit" without worrying about losing wickets.In the previous encounter between LSG and Chennai Super Kings, Rahul showcased his exceptional batting skills with a brilliant 82 off 53 balls, guiding his team to an eight-wicket victory. However, in their recent clash, Rahul's innings was cut short at 16 runs off 14 balls.Despite the setback, Ganguly praised Rahul's performance against CSK, highlighting his ability to adapt to the situation and play according to the team's needs. He emphasized the importance of playing freely and without fear in T20 cricket.Reflecting on his team's performance, Rahul expressed satisfaction with their commitment to their plans and the bowlers' execution. He acknowledged that the wicket was slow and offered some grip, which influenced their decision to aim for a score of around 160.Currently, LSG stands fourth on the points table with five victories in eight matches. As the tournament progresses, Rahul's leadership and batting prowess will be crucial in determining LSG's success and his own chances of representing India in the T20 World Cup.

Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants Clash in Crucial Home GameChennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will face off in a pivotal match at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. Both teams have won four and lost three of their seven matches so far in IPL 2024, making this encounter crucial for their playoff aspirations.CSK has been dominant at home, winning all three of their matches at Chepauk. However, they have struggled away from home, winning only one of their four games. This makes it imperative for them to secure a victory in this match.LSG, on the other hand, will be confident after defeating CSK in their previous encounter in Lucknow. They have the experience of playing on slow, spinning surfaces at their home ground, which could be an advantage at Chepauk.Team News and Impact Player StrategyCSK may recall Ajinkya Rahane to the starting lineup after he recovered from a calf niggle. Shivam Dube could be used as an Impact Player if CSK bowls first, while Matheesha Pathirana could fill that role if they bat first.LSG may consider bringing back Devdutt Padikkal, who has a good record against CSK bowlers. Mohsin Khan could be their Impact Player, depending on whether they bowl first or bat.Players in the SpotlightRachin Ravindra has been opening the innings for CSK in the absence of Devon Conway. He started strongly but has struggled in recent matches. CSK will need him to provide a solid start.KL Rahul has been in excellent form for LSG, scoring at a strike rate of 185.11 in the powerplay in recent games. He will be a key player for LSG.Stats that Matter* KL Rahul has dominated Deepak Chahar, scoring 157 runs off 96 balls without being dismissed.* Nicholas Pooran has also been successful against Mustafizur Rahman, scoring 88 runs off 45 balls.* Moeen Ali has struggled against Ravi Bishnoi, getting out three times in 22 balls.* Krunal Pandya has kept Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni quiet, but Ruturaj Gaikwad has been successful against him.Pitch and ConditionsThe pitch at Chepauk has produced varying totals in the three matches played so far. Both CSK and LSG will aim for a total of around 200.

The Ekana Stadium in Lucknow witnessed a thrilling encounter on Friday night as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) emerged victorious over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by eight wickets.LSG's chase was anchored by a dominant century opening stand between captain KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. The duo put on 106 runs in 14.3 overs, setting the tone for the chase. Rahul played a captain's knock, scoring 82 off 53 deliveries, while de Kock contributed 54 off 42 balls.CSK's bowlers struggled to contain the LSG openers, with none of them able to settle into a rhythm. The powerplay yielded 54 runs, and LSG maintained a steady scoring rate throughout the innings.After de Kock's dismissal in the 15th over, Nicholas Pooran joined Rahul at the crease. The pair added 43 runs in 29 balls, ensuring that LSG remained in control of the chase. Rahul eventually fell for 82 in the 19th over, but Pooran remained unbeaten on 23 to guide LSG home with an over to spare.For CSK, Ravindra Jadeja played a lone hand with an unbeaten 57 off 39 deliveries. Ambati Rayudu (30) and Moeen Ali (30) also made significant contributions, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to fire.LSG's bowlers were disciplined and effective, with Krunal Pandya picking up two wickets for 16 runs in his four overs. Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan also bowled economically, conceding just 29 and 32 runs respectively.The victory was LSG's fourth in five matches, while CSK suffered their third defeat in six games. LSG now sit atop the IPL standings, while CSK languish in ninth place.

KL Rahul, the skipper of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), is facing a crucial juncture in his career as he prepares to lead his team against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Ekana Stadium. With two consecutive losses and a lackluster batting performance, Rahul is under pressure to deliver both for his team and his aspirations of representing India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.Rahul's desire to bat in the middle order and keep wickets, despite LSG's abundance of world-class keepers, stems from his realization that breaking into India's top three is an arduous task. With Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav firmly entrenched in those positions, Rahul's best chance of making the Indian squad lies in establishing himself as a finisher.However, the competition for lower-order places in the Indian team is fierce, with Rishabh Pant regaining his sharpness behind the stumps and Shivam Dubey proving his worth as a big-hitter. The emergence of Rinku Singh as a finisher further complicates Rahul's path to the national team.Rahul's best performances in the IPL and T20Is have come as an opener, but his strike rate has been declining in recent seasons. In 2018, he amassed 659 runs with a strike rate of 158.41, but his strike rate has since dropped to 135.38 in 2022.To enhance his chances of making the Indian squad, Rahul needs to rediscover his destructive form as an opener. A high-impact performance in the remaining LSG games, with a strike rate of 150 or more, could convince the selectors to consider him as a backup opener or traveling reserve.