Following Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) eight-wicket defeat against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Tuesday, skipper Rishabh Pant acknowledged that the toss played a crucial role in the outcome of the match at Lucknow’s home ground. However, he refused to use it as an excuse for his team’s loss.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Delhi Capitals restricted LSG to 159/6 despite a strong 87-run opening partnership between Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. However, the middle-order collapse and inability to accelerate in the latter overs cost LSG dearly. In response, Delhi Capitals chased down the target comfortably, thanks to KL Rahul’s unbeaten half-century, finishing the game with 2.1 overs to spare.
Pant Admits Shortcomings, Acknowledges Pitch Dynamics
“We knew we were 20 runs short,” Pant admitted in the post-match presentation. “In Lucknow, the toss plays a big part. The team bowling first gets significant help from the wicket, but as the game progresses, the surface becomes easier to bat on in the second innings.” He added, “That’s how the game goes, and we can’t complain. Yes, the toss is influential here, but as a team, we aren’t looking for excuses.”
Dahiya Credits Delhi Capitals’ Smart Bowling
Vijay Dahiya, LSG’s assistant coach, refused to blame the pitch and instead praised Delhi Capitals for their tactical bowling. “We had a strong start, scoring over 80 runs in the first nine overs, but we lost momentum after that,” he said. “Rather than criticizing the pitch, we need to address our own shortcomings.”
Dahiya highlighted DC’s effective use of cutters and slower deliveries, which disrupted LSG’s flow. “Delhi assessed the conditions well and executed their plans perfectly. There were phases where the ball stopped a bit, and they capitalized on that,” he explained.
Miller’s Promotion a Tactical Move
Dahiya also defended the decision to send David Miller at No. 5 in the 14th over, stating it was an attempt to regain momentum. “In T20s, you need multiple plans. We were behind, so we promoted Miller, an aggressive batter, to see if he could change the game. Had we scored 10-15 extra runs in those overs, the result might have been different.”
Mid-Table Battle Heats Up
Despite the loss, LSG remain fifth in the points table, while Delhi Capitals strengthened their second position with their sixth win. With the playoff race intensifying, both teams will look to address their weaknesses in the upcoming matches.
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