IPL 2023: We shouldn’t blame the players alone – Imran Tahir criticizes Lucknow Super Giants’ batting

Former South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir has criticized Lucknow Super Giants’ batting after their 18-run loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Monday. LSG could not chase down 127 runs as they were skittled out for only 108 runs on a difficult pitch.

There was help for the bowlers and RCB made most of the conditions in the second innings. In fact, no LSG batter could go past the 25-run mark while chasing down the score.

The home team lost four wickets in the powerplay overs and it put them on the back foot. Mohammed Siraj led the foundation for RCB as he got the big wicket of Kyle Mayers in the very first over.

In fact, earlier in the season, LSG could not chase down 135 runs against defending champions Gujarat Titans while playing in home conditions. The Lucknow pitch has come under the scanner as run-making has been a difficult task on it.

Imran Tahir said on Star Sports, “Everyone knew that KL Rahul was injured and that he wouldn’t bat. So their batters should have taken the responsibility and the coaches should have communicated with them and made a proper plan.”

The former South African spinner added: “I feel the coaches should also take a little responsibility. We shouldn’t blame the players alone. They were probably given the message that they should go and play aggressively.”

On the other hand, LSG suffered a huge blow as KL Rahul suffered a hip injury while chasing a ball in the first innings and thus came out to bat at number 11.

Meanwhile, Tahir questioned LSG batters’ shot selection while chasing down a below-par score. The leg-spinner feels the home team should have taken a leaf out of Faf du Plessis’ book on how to bat on a difficult pitch.

“This is their home ground. What amazed me is that everyone went in and tried to play shots. I don’t think those shots were required. You had seen Faf du Plessis, who concentrated primarily on singles and he is not like that. Normally he is an aggressive player, he is a player who goes and plays his shots.”

“I believe RCB looked more hungry in this game. The way their bowlers bowled was according to the pitch and they used their spinners very well. The fast bowlers used the slower ones and Josh Hazlewood got good bounce.”

Lucknow Super Giants will next face Chennai Super Kings at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Wednesday.