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 'I Take all the Blame…' Krunal Pandya After LSG’s Crushing  Defeat Against MI

image-li21m3ldKrunal Pandya leaked 38 runs from his four overs (IPLT20.COM)

Lucknow Super Giants were steamrolled by a professional Mumbai Indians unit to get knocked out of the IPL 2023 competition.

Competing in a must-win game against the five-time champions, Krunal Pandya and co. fell 81 runs short of their target in Chennai, as they slumped to their second successive IPL elimination in an Eliminator, having made their tournament debut last year itself.

After the humiliating defeat, LSG stand-in skipper Krunal Pandya took all the responsibility, citing that his dismissal in the run-chase triggered a colossal batting collapse for his side.

Pandya takes blame as a cruising LSG lose by 81 runs

Krunal Pandya delivered four expensive wicketless overs as Mumbai Indians mounted 182-8 upfront. Chasing a daunting total in a knockout game, the Super Giants launched their response on a steady note despite losing both their openers cheaply within the powerplay.

Captain Pandya stabilized the innings by forming a 46-run rapid stand with Marcus Stoinis. However, at 69-2, the skipper stepped out of the crease and mistimed an enticing full delivery by Piyush Chawla only to get holed out at long-on.

His dismissal triggered a colossal batting collapse as LSG capitulated their solid start to slump from 69-2 to 101 all out, thus falling short by a staggering 81 runs in an all-important game.

After the match, Pandya acknowledged his side’s commanding stance earlier in the run-chase and laid the blame for the big defeat all upon himself. He said:

“We were in a really good position. Everything started when I played that shot... that was not on, and I completely take all the blame.”

The skipper, leading the side in place of regular captain KL Rahul, also stated that the first time-out played no part in breaking their momentum.

“The wicket was the same. We just had to bat better, just take that responsibility. But we didn't do after that break.”

Pandya also defended his decision of preferring Kyle Mayers over Quinton de Kock and his choice of opening the bowling with two spinners against Mumbai Indians’ in-form openers.

“It's always a tough decision; it's just Kyle had a better record here than Quinton de Kock. We just felt we could go with Kyle. I just thought we could do something different." [On starting the bowling with spinners]