Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have made a dream start to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) season by winning three out of their four games in the 2022 season so far. After a narrow loss against fellow newbies Gujarat Titans (GT) in the first game, they have defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC).
While LSG have put in some exceptional performances on the field, it is their tactical intelligence which has stood out. The KL Rahul-led side has surprised teams with changes in their batting and bowling order and so far they have paid off. One such example was the decision to send Krunal Pandya above Ayush Badoni on Thursday against Delhi Capitals (DC).
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra praised LSG’s in-game tactical changes and hailed team mentor Gautam Gambhir for it. Chopra hilariously compared Gambhir to the popular fictional character ‘Chacha Chouhdary.’
“Gautam Gambhir’s brain is like Chacha Chaudhary, it runs very fast. He sends Krunal Pandya up the order at times and Badoni at other times, sometimes Hooda and here he dropped Pandey Ji (Manish Pandey). We had discussed this, that you should drop Pandey Ji and make your bowling stronger, play Krishnappa Gowtham because the opposing team has a lot of lefties,” said Chopra on his Youtube channel.
Talking about the match after restricting Delhi Capitals (DC) to 149, LSG chased the total in a tense last-over finish. Quinton de Kock led the way with a fine knock of 52-ball 80. Krunal Pandya, Deepak Hooda, and Ayush Badoni played crucial knocks to help them get over the line.
Earlier with the ball, Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers for them as he took two wickets and conceded just 22 runs. Krishnappa Gowtham took one wicket on his debut for the franchise. Prithvi Shaw played a quick-fire knock of 61 in 34 balls for DC.
