Rishabh Pant Delivers Honest Verdict On LSG After Loss Against Punjab Kings

A disappointed Lucknow Super Giants captain, Rishabh Pant, is still hopeful about reaching the IPL play-offs, even after his team’s 37-run loss to the Punjab Kings due to another poor performance from the top-order batters. LSG currently sit seventh on the points table with 10 points from 11 matches. However, with a negative net run-rate of -0.47, just winning the remaining three games might not guarantee a spot in the play-offs. Speaking after the match, Pant said, “The dream is still alive. If we can win the next three games, we still have a chance to turn things around and achieve something special.”

He did concede that 236 was too much to chase and fielding was also below par.

“Definitely too many runs. When you drop crucial catches at the wrong time, it can hurt you badly. We thought it would do more, but we did not pick the length right at the start. But that is part and parcel of the game,” he said.

While Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran have failed in the past few games, the skipper defended them.

“It makes sense when your top order is batting well. Every match, you cannot hope for them to come off. It is part of the game, we have to take it deep sometimes. We had too many runs to catch up on and that hurt us badly.”

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Hard Work Behind Punjab Kings’ Climb to Second Spot

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer was “elated, to be honest”. “Everyone stepped up at the right time, contribution was immense from everyone,” Iyer said after the match, especially praising Prabhsimran Singh for his 48-ball 91.

“The way he performed, it was exceptional and so pleasing to the eye,” he said.

Iyer believes that luck favours the brave and that is precisely what has happened with PBKS this season as they climbed to the second spot in the 10-team league table.

“Was not thinking about stats or what is a good score to defend. We have been lucky, but the luck has been because of the hard work. Each and every individual knows their roles precisely and the way they executed, it was top-notch.” Iyer, however, isn’t fully happy with the fielding effort.

“The only thing we need to correct is the awareness (in the field) and the way we move – that is the only box we have to tick off. Just back yourselves and your instincts – that has been working for us, not think too much about stats.”

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