IPL 2023: Ravi Bishnoi Opines on LSG Fall Short to Chase Down the Total

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) young and talented leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi admitted that the injury to the captain KL Rahul hampered the team during their run-chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday, May 1. He further added that poor shot selection from some of the batters also cost them the game while chasing down 127 in Lucknow as well.

However, KL Rahul came off the field in the second over of the game after having suffered a thigh muscle injury on his right leg. Following that, he did not open the innings and came out to bat at the fall of the ninth wicket as well. Rahul played three balls but failed to get off the mark as Lucknow were bowled out for a mere 108 in 19.5 overs on a challenging batting surface as well. While speaking at the post-match conference, Ravi Bishnoi said that the total was not steep as well.

He stated: “100 percent, it was a chaseable score. Injury to KL Rahul was a setback. We were one batter short because of that. Then, we played a few poor shots as well. We just had a bad day with the bat. That’s why we were unable to chase that score. Otherwise, it was a good wicket to bat on.”

However, Monday’s defeat was Lucknow’s second straight defeat at home, while chasing a low total as well. Against Gujarat Titans (GT), they reduced from a good position to go down by seven runs as well. Reflecting on the defeats, Ravi Bishnoi commented:

“He will come back stronger” – Ravi Bishnoi backs struggling Deepak Hooda

“It’s all part [of the game]. Sometimes, you can’t chase 130 on a good wicket. We will have to play on the given wicket; it is not in our hands. We need to adapt according to the conditions and we are trying that.“Out batting didn’t click so we couldn’t chase down totals in the last two matches in Lucknow. In the last match, we at least got close. The in-form batters also had an off day [on Monday].”

However, Krishnappa Gowtham (23) was top-scored for LSG against RCB and was the only batter to cross the 20-run mark as well. Meanwhile, Lucknow batter Deepak Hooda’s poor run with the bat continued on Monday too as he was stumped for 1 off Wanindu Hasaranga’s bowling. Bishnoi, however, supported him to bounce back as well. In nine matches in IPL 2023, Hooda has scored only 53 runs at an average of 6.63 and a strike rate of 89.83.

“He is a good player. He has done well for India and for us in the last season. Ups and downs happen. He is going through a rough patch and I am sure he will come back stronger,” Ravi Bishnoi concluded.