IPL 2022: Winning close games always good for team’s morale – Quinton de Kock

Lucknow Super Giants wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock was delighted after his team registered their first win as they defeated defending champions Chennai Super Kings by six wickets at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.

It was a thrilling contest as it went down to the wire and the South African feels winning close games is always good for team’s morale, especially at the beginning of the tourney.

LSG had their work cut out as they had to chase down 211 runs after CSK posted a par score. However, the new IPL entrant got off to a good start as Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul added 99 runs for the opening alliance. The left-hander scored a fine knock of 61 runs and also had the rub of the green on his side as he was dropped by Moeen Ali when he was on 30.

Meanwhile, Evin Lewis played a blistering knock of 55 runs off just 23 balls whereas young Ayush Badoni scored a fine cameo of 9-ball 19 to get his team over the line in the run-chase, which is the fourth-highest in IPL history.

Quinton de Kock said in the post-match interview with the broadcasters, “It was unbelievable. To winning these type of close games is always good for the team morale. Great win, boys batted really well. We came out fighting and to come out on top is always special. We thought we can chase down 210. We understood after the first two or three overs that it was a really good wicket. I’d say it was a par score on this wicket actually. It was nice to get out there and just bat, I wasn’t in too much rush. I had to get out there and spend some time, I knew it was a good enough wicket. It was just a matter of doing that and it’s also nice for couple of the other boys to get out there and bat a bit. Evin played a hell of a knock tonight which was unbelievable and so did the youngster. It was great for everyone. It was nervy, chasing 210 is always going to be a close game but the boys were quite calm. It was mixed emotions between everyone. I was pretty calm myself, we knew what was going on out there. But still to get it done actually is still a hell of a job done.”

On the other hand, Lewis was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine knock. The southpaw scored two boundaries and one six in the penultimate over against Shivam Dube.

Lewis said after the game, “Very good pitch, once you get in you can score freely. I just backed my strengths and ability. I think he is a very confident guy. I saw him (Badoni) in the nets. I just try to keep it simple and want to do the best for the team.”

LSG will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy.