IPL 2023: SRH v. LSG: KL Rahul and Krunal Pandya shine as Lucknow defeats SunRisers in a slow pitch battle.

On Friday, April 7, Lucknow Super Giants defeated SunRisers Hyderabad by 5 wickets in an all-around masterclass on a slow pitch at the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium at home. With their second win in a row at home, the team led by KL Rahul advanced to the top of the 10-team IPL 2023 points table.

The Lucknow Super Giants put on a masterful show, winning for the second time in three games after losing by 12 runs to the Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Sunday. LSG beat Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans, who are both defending champions and have won two of two games in IPL 2023.

Despite not having Mark Wood 

(sickness), Avesh Khan (injury), and Quinton de Kock, the Lucknow Super Monsters displayed their game ability to dominate as they easily outmatched SunRisers Hyderabad, who are attached to the lower part of the focuses table with two progressive misfortunes.

LSG vs SRH, IPL 2023 Highlights 

Amit Mishra, a 40-year-old spinner, joined Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi in the Lucknow Super Giants' bowling lineup, making it a three-man spin unit. The SunRisers were crushed by spin on a sluggish pitch in Lucknow, and the trio took six wickets between them, allowing only 57 runs to be scored in 12 overs.

KRUNAL LEADS SPIN SHOW 

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, SunRisers Hyderabad managed just 121 for 8 in 20 overs, but Krunal Pandya dominated the top order with figures of 3 for 18 in 4 overs. Krunal took the big wickets, including Mayank Agarwal and Aiden Markram, SRH's new captain, who were bowled out for a golden duck.

In contrast, England's star batting player Harry Brook was bowled out stumped for three by Ravi Bishnoi, who took the crucial wicket. It was SRH's most expensive signing in the IPL 2023 auction's second consecutive failure.

Rahul Tripathi (35) and opener Anmolpreet Singh (31) made helpful top-order contributions, but SunRisers struggled to adjust to the pitch's pace and were thwarted by the Lucknow spinners, who played with class and guile.

Washington Sundar scored 16 runs on 28 pitches because the SunRisers lacked momentum throughout their innings. Abdul Samad played a cameo innings of 21 (10 balls) and hit two sixes in the final over to propel the SunRisers past 120.

However, the total was insufficient because the Lucknow Super Giants were led by KL Rahul, who played with more intent than the SunRisers.

RAHUL, PANDYA GET JOB DONE 

Kyle Mayers hit just 13 from 14 balls after two progressive fifties however he took care of his business competently in an energetic 36-run opening stand with his skipper.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar scored on the power play after Deepak Hooda hit a six. However, Lucknow got off to the best possible start, going 45 for 2 at the 6-over mark.

Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul shared a 55-run partnership, and the all-rounder's 23-ball 34 demonstrated his intent. Krunal attacked the SunRisers bowlers, scoring four boundaries and a six.

Umran Malik bowled Krunal out in the 13th over, but Lucknow already had one foot on the finish line when the all-rounder fell.

Adil Rashid provided some relief for the SunRisers in the 15th over when Rahul and Romario Shepherd fell in consecutive deliveries, but it was insufficient as the home team chased down the target in the 16th over.

As Lucknow rejoiced in their dominant victory over a helpless SunRisers team, Nicholas Pooran added a winning six.

When Lucknow takes on Royal Challengers Bangalore away from home on Monday, April 10, they will be looking to continue the momentum they established earlier.

On the other hand, the SunRisers Hyderabad have a short window of opportunity to consider their options before their home matchup with the excellent Punjab Kings on Sunday, April 9.