Following the Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) victory over the Punjab Kings (PBKS), Aakash Chopra predicts that the top four teams in the IPL 2023 points standings will remain in those positions.
LSG devasted defeated Punjab Kings by 56 runs on Friday (April 28) in Mohali after setting a mammoth 258-run target for PBKS. Based on their respective net run rates, the Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, Gujarat Titans, and Chennai Super Kings are ranked in that order and hold the top four spots in the points table with 10 points each.
Chopra suggested that the IPL playoff spots for 2023 may already have been decided in a video he posted to his YouTube channel after LSG’s victory over PBKS.
“Lucknow is now in second place. Thanks, Lucknow. The top four positions give the impression that the table will remain unchanged, but we’ll see if that’s the case. ”
The former Indian opener explained that “after KL Rahul was given an early start, all of the batters for the Lucknow Super Giants were at their explosive best.”
“Rahul ought to have been dismissed after the first ball. The hitting began after Atharva Taide missed a very simple catch. Rahul hit a six before being struck out. Following that, everybody kept striking. Ayush Badoni, who was given the order to strike, Marcus Stoinis, and Nicholas Pooran struck after Kyle Mayers, who launched the first blow. ”
With a 40-ball 72, Marcus Stoinis led all scorers for the Lucknow Super Giants. Ayush Badoni (43 off 24), Nicholas Pooran (45 off 19), and Kyle Mayers (54 off 24) all did an excellent job in their assigned roles.
Aakash Chopra on the destructive batting of the Lucknow Super Giants: “It seemed as though book cricket was on.”
Aakash Chopra made note of the fact that the Lucknow Super Giants batters tended to deal in fours and sixes, noting:
“Fours and sixes came back to back and showered like Rain was in progress. Regardless of who was bowling, they were all being hit. They were hitting at a strike of 200 while playing fewer balls.”
The former cricketer-turned-commentator continued, “The PBKS bowlers’ errors also helped LSG post a huge total, explaining:
“Punjab Kings also bowled four no-balls, and the free hits also came out to be in 18 runs being scored. 257 runs, which ranks as the second-highest total in the history of this tournament. They were standing right next to the first one, which was 263. ”
The only bowler for Punjab Kings to have an economy rate under 12 was Rahul Chahar (0/29 in four overs). In their four-over spells, Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada gave up more than 50 runs.