Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant (ANI Image)
It was another disappointing outing for Rishabh Pant as the Lucknow Super Giants captain once again failed in the chase against Rajasthan Royals.Pant was dismissed for a three-ball duck, falling early in the innings to Nandre Burger in just the second over. The sacking reflects the state of pressure LSG found itself in after an early setback.Berger sent a long ball out wide at 142.7 kilometers per hour. Pant, after initially coming off the track in the previous deliveries, attempted a huge effort across the line while getting down on one knee. All he succeeded in doing was getting a weak edge at the back, with Dhruv Gurel completing a simple catch. It was an ill-advised shot from the LSG captain at a time when composure was needed.
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Pant’s early exit came immediately after another knock. On the last ball of the first over, Ayush Baduni was run out for a duck in a mix-up with Mitchell Marsh.
An odd try was non-existent, Badoni was brought back too late, and substitute fielder Ravi Singh hit the stumps straight at the keeper’s end to catch him short.Chasing a modest target of 159, LSG have been shaken inside the first two games, losing key batsmen without scoring a run. The early collapse only increased pressure on the intermediate system.Earlier in the match, LSG’s all-India bowling unit did an excellent job to restrict Rajasthan to 159 for 6. Mohammed Shami led the attack with 2 for 30, removing
Yashavi Jaiswal
Gurriel in successive deliveries, while
Mohsin Khan
He was equally effective with 2 for 17, including the key wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Prince Yadav also chipped in with two wickets, as the LSG bowlers controlled proceedings with disciplined lines and a plethora of dot balls.Despite a strong bowling effort, Pant’s failure at the top of the chase once again put the spotlight on his form, especially as LSG look to snap a losing streak and turn their campaign around.