IPL 2024: Captain KL Rahul's 76-run knock helps LSG post 196 against RR at Ekana

KL Rahul celebrates his half-century against RR on Saturday. Pic/AFP

Skipper KL Rahul's superb half-century (72 from 48 balls) could not have come at a more opportune moment, both for his team and for him personally as he helped Lucknow Super Giants notch up an impressive 196 for five after being asked to bat by the Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson at the Ekana Stadium here on Saturday. LSG had lost two quick wickets of in-form batters Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis. Things did not look rosy as the home team plummeted to 11-2 in two overs. Then, the LSG captain raised his game to the level he is known to, to navigate his team out of trouble.

Timely knock

KL's knock was a timely reminder to the national selectors about his form and fitness, making him a strong contender for a berth in the Indian team for the upcoming T20I World Cup. The selectors are set to meet captain-designate Rohit Sharma in Delhi today and the team should be announced in a few days; the deadline set by the ICC being May 1. Rahul had made a delightful 82 in the previous home game against CSK and adding another half-century, has enhanced his chances.

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As for the match, De Kock promised much, but delivered little as he hit the first two Trent Boult deliveries to the boundary, but lost his stump on the third ball, much to the delight of the RR team. In the second over, pacer Sandeep Sharma cleaned up Stoinis with a lovely inswinger to send back the batter who had helped LSG score a brilliant win over CSK in their previous game in Chennai.

Hooda shines with 50

It was left to Deepak Hooda (50 in 31 balls) to join his skipper in a recovery act and the two put on 115 for the third wicket in 10 overs to bail the team out of trouble.

At the time of going to press, RR were 81-3 in 10 overs.

Earlier, after the departure of Hooda, Rahul kept up the tempo with subsequent batters Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni to ensure LSG had a good total on the board. Rahul looked good for a century, but was caught on the third man fence off Avesh Khan. The disappointment was writ large on his face as he walked back to the pavilion for the second successive time with a century well in sight.