the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) took a dig at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), During a social media discussion about their failure to chase a small total in the IPL 2023 match against Gujarat Titans (GT). In the match played in Lucknow on April 22, Lucknow’s bowlers performed exceptionally well, limiting defending champions GT to 135/6. LSG appeared to be on track for victory, needing only a run-a-ball with eight wickets in hand and five overs remaining. However, they collapsed in a baffling manner and finished with 128/7.
LSG’s Twitter account shared a post that modified a line from a well-known Bollywood movie in a philosophical take on their defeat. The post stated:
“Koi total chota nahi hota.” (No total is a small one.)
U guys bottled easiest run chase ever. Now stop cribbing ????
— C-note (@iCnote8) April 24, 2023
In response to the post, a user commented:
“U guys bottled easiest run chase ever. Now stop cribbing ????.”
However, LSG responded to the comment with a veiled criticism of RCB. Their reply stated:
“Easiest run chase ever was Target 50, tbf.”
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) holds the record for the lowest score in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In a match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the 2017 season at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, they were dismissed for a mere 49 runs.
KL Rahul faces criticism from former cricketers after LSG’s loss to Gujarat
During Lucknow’s pursuit of 136 against Gujarat, team captain KL Rahul was the top scorer with 68 runs off 61 balls. However, he could not increase the scoring rate towards the end of the innings and was dismissed in the final over. Rahul faced significant criticism for his failure to lead his team to victory. Former Indian fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad, a vocal critic of Rahul, shared his thoughts on Twitter:
“Bottling a run chase when 30 needed off 35 balls with 9 wickets in hand requires some baffling batting. Happened with Punjab in 2020 on few occasions losing games they should have won easily. As brilliant as Guj were with ball & Hardik smart with his captaincy, brainless from Lko.”
Another former Indian fast bowler, Dodda Ganesh, cited the example of Ajinkya Rahane and argued that Rahul’s batting lacked intent. He tweeted:
“Rahane ???????? he has shown that with intent, you can do wonders. If only KL Rahul understood this ???? #IPL2023.”
KL Rahul also shared his views after the defeat and stated:
“I don’t know how it happened, but it has happened. I can’t put a finger on where it went wrong, but we lost 2 points.”