On April 22, at Lucknow, against the Gujarat Titans (GT), wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) managed just one run off seven deliveries, effectively costing his team a convincing victory. LSG was comfortably positioned at 106/2 in 14.3 overs as Pooran took the crease, needing just 136 for victory.
The gifted West Indian attempted to play a slog sweep but found it difficult to judge the pitch and was finally disqualified. Off the bowling of Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad, the ball soared into the air, making it easy for the GT captain to collect a catch.
The rest of the LSG hitters gave into unnecessary pressure after Nicholas Pooran’s premature ejection, and the team lost by seven runs as a result.
Fans severely mocked Pooran on Twitter after his poor batting performance caused the spectacular collapse. Here are a few responses:
Nicolas Pooran’s performance till now in IPL 2023
With an average of 28.50 and a strike rate of 185.87 so far this season, Nicholas Pooran has had a respectable campaign. He scored 62 off 19 deliveries in a successful run chase of 212 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), turning up one of the greatest knocks of the season.
Speaking of the match, on a challenging batting surface, the LSG bowlers were outstanding in limiting GT to a meager total of 135/6 in their 20 overs.
The Super Giants responded by cruising through what seemed to be a straightforward run chase before faltering in the last overs to lose by seven runs.
Despite this outcome, LSG has had four victories in its last seven games, placing it favorably in the standings.
“I can’t put a finger on where it went wrong” – LSG skipper KL Rahul after loss to GT
in Lucknow following the team’s seven-run loss to the Gujarat Titans (GT). Rahul’s knock of 68 from 61 deliveries provided the ideal foundation for the team’s pursuit of the winning 136. The Lucknow hitters, on the other hand, were unable to pick up speed as the game came to a close, and they missed the mark. Speaking after the game, Rahul expressed his disappointment at missing the chance to score two more points.
“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 today, this is cricket. I thought we were brilliant with the ball, 135 was 10 runs under par, the bowling was exceptional, we started well with the bat, but these things happen, we’ll have to take it on the chin.”
Rahul believed the GT bowlers bowled well despite the collapse and that the batting may have taken a few more chances along the way.