Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul lauded Marcus Stoinis’ match-winning 124* off 63 balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), acknowledging that the home team’s 210-4 was at least 30 runs above par on the Chepauk track. Despite Ruturaj Gaikwad’s century for CSK, Stoinis’ heroics guided LSG to a six-wicket victory.
Rahul, who previously downplayed the significance of strike rates in T20s, conceded that a total of 180, once considered challenging, may not suffice in the era of the ‘Impact Player.’
“These were different conditions. They got off to a good start and put pressure on the bowlers. I didn’t think it was a 210 wicket,” Rahul said, crediting Stoinis for his exceptional batting.
The LSG management’s decision to send Stoinis at number three proved astute, with Rahul emphasizing the need for bravery.
“We wanted to be a lot braver as a team. We had three games, a couple at home, and some away where we couldn’t go past 170. We needed one power hitter in the top three,” he explained.
Reflecting on his own batting approach, Rahul acknowledged the evolving nature of T20 cricket, emphasizing the importance of aggressive play in the powerplay.
Asked about the possibility of Nicholas Pooran batting higher up the order, Rahul indicated that all positions except for the openers were flexible.
CSK skipper Gaikwad attributed their loss to dew, which affected the spinners’ effectiveness in the latter part of the match.
Player of the match Stoinis highlighted the strategic decision-making involved in his innings, targeting specific bowlers while exercising caution against others.
