Don’t know how it happened: Rahul after LSG’s stunning defeat

A run-chase of 136 runs which Lucknow Super Giants had it in their pockets until something happened and they lost to Gujarat Titans by seven runs in an IPL match on Saturday.

LSG were comfortably placed at 105 for 1 after 14 overs, requiring 31 off 36 balls. Noor Ahmad struck and things got a bit tight for the host team. It came down to 12 needed off the last over, which was bowled by Mohit Sharma, who did a brilliant job by giving only four runs and four wickets also falling.

“I don’t know how it happened, but it has happened. I can’t put a finger on where it went wrong, but we lost two points today, this is cricket,” a stunned LSG captain KL Rahul told the broadcaster after the match.

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“We started well with the bat, but these things happen, we’ll have to take it on the chin. But still a long way to go, 8 points off 7 games, we were on the wrong side of the result today,” Rahul added.

Rahul, who scored 68 off 61 balls said the batters including himself should have taken chances against the Gujarat bowling.

“We were well ahead in the game and I wasn’t really trying to bat deep, I still wanted to play my shots, take on the bowlers, but they bowled well in that 2-3 over period, especially Noor and Jayant, we perhaps should have taken a few more chances with wickets in hand.

“But I think we missed out on some boundary opportunities, the pressure got to us in the last 3-4 overs, we played well until then,” he also said.

Gujarat captain Hardik Pandya lauded experienced campaigners Mohit and Mohammed Shami.

“The amount of cricket he (Mohit Sharma) has played, I don’t have to interfere. He made my life easy, he backed his plans and executed it. Shami and Mohit were tremendous, special mention to Jayant who was playing after a long time,” Pandya said.