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IPL 2023 | KL Rahul speaks after close defeat to CSK, praises Mayers for a blistering knock

image-lg17qt7kMayers celebrates his 50 (Twitter/BCCI)

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fell 12 runs short of CSK’s total in match number six of the ongoing IPL 2023 season. The high-scoring affair witnessed over 400 runs in Chennai in front of a packed M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, where Giants skipper KL Rahul had earlier won the toss and opted to field first.

The decision backfired as CSK batters mounted a huge 217-run total upfront, courtesy of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s sublime 57 at the top of the order.

KL Rahul says bowlers did not bowled in the right areas

LSG’s in-form opener Kyle Mayers launched his side’s response with a 22-ball hurricane. The West Indies import raced to his own fifty within the powerplay itself. He clubbed eight boundaries and two sixes in his 53-run blitz, while his skipper and opening partner KL Rahul failed to get going with the bat for the second time in succession this season.

By the time of Mayers’ dismissal, the LSG had wiped off 79 runs from their target, with more than 14 overs still left in the game. However, the visitors’ middle-order failed to capitalise on Mayers’ impact as they eventually fell 12 runs short of their target.

After the match, LSG captain Rahul said that his bowlers did not bowl in the right areas, despite having conditions in their favour. He praised CSK’s opening combo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway for putting early pressure on the visitors with their top-order assault.

“The bowlers said it was sticky and moving a bit so there was something in it for them but they didn't put it in the right areas. When you have quality batters in the opposition, they will make you pay. Conway and Ritu played some brilliant shots so it's something for us to learn and get better at,”

Rahul also praised his opening partner Mayers for launching a spirited fightback against CSK bowlers amidst a tense run-chase.

“Kyle Mayers has come in with some real good form. I was watching some games that West Indies played and he was smoking the ball. It's good to see him come here with the same approach. In Lucknow, he hit the ball a mile and he did the same today.”

LSG will now return to their home base in Lucknow for their next IPL 2023 challenge. They are scheduled to face the Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 7 in a contest that marks as a third fixture for both sides this tournament.