Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant blasted his team’s batting approach following their loss to Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday. Chasing 160 on a challenging track, LSG were bundled out for 119 in 18 overs, losing the plot in the Powerplay after Ayush Badoni, Pant, and Aiden Markram were all dismissed for ducks. Speaking on the defeat, LSG’s fourth on the bounce, Pant criticised the batters, including himself, for wasting the effort put in by the bowlers.
“I think it is difficult to explain. Like it’s definitely our batting is letting us down, but at the same time, we are disappointed as a team, as a group, but at the same time, you’ve got to keep finding ways, you know. You have to look for answers inside, not outside, but that’s how it is as of now. (should the team have played sedately when the ball was moving?) See, definitely, we could have taken some time while batting and at the same time, not making any excuse out there, like, including myself in that. Like we could have taken it a little deeper because I think the bowlers did a fantastic job, especially after the last game. But, as a batting group, we need to put our hand up and try to finish the job for the bowlers also. (on the bowling group) See, definitely, there is still a lot we want to look at the positive side. We all know it’s disappointing for us as a team, but we have to keep our head high and look for answers inside. And we surely know that we have enough firepower in our bowling and batting and we can still turn it around. That’s what I believe in.”
The post-match presentation ended on a rare light note. “Thank you for being soft,” Pant quipped as Simon Doull thanked him for the chat, leaving the former New Zealand pacer smiling.
Earlier, opting to bowl, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, and Mohsin Khan took two wickets apiece to restrict Rajasthan to 159/6. Ravindra Jadeja top-scored for RR with a brisk 43* off 29 balls. In the chase, Mitchell Marsh (55 off 41) held the innings together even as the likes of Nicholas Pooran and Himmat Singh fell to irresponsible shots.
The burden eventually fell to Mukul Choudhary, who remains a work in progress and hasn’t yet mastered tackling bouncers that grip off the surface. Furthermore, the decision to use Himmat Singh as an ‘Impact Sub’ is bound to be questioned; despite nearly a decade in domestic cricket, the batter has a career strike rate of 135 and averages less than a six per game.
The defeat maintains LSG’s dismal record at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, where the side remains winless at home this season.
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