Lucknow Super Giants suffered a heavy 62-run defeat against Gujarat Titans in Match 56 of Indian Premier League 2022 at MCA Stadium in Pune. In what was a low-scoring affair, Lucknow could not even survive for 15 overs and got bowled out for 88. Gautam Gambhir, the LSG mentor, was certainly not pleased with the performance, and minced no words while addressing the team after a shambolic defeat.
Gambhir said that there’s no harm in losing to a better team. But he was concerned about the lack of fight from his team. He said: “There is nothing wrong in losing. It is absolutely fine. One team has to win one team has to lose. But there is a lot of wrong in giving up. Today I thought that we gave up and were weak.”
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“And honestly, there is no place for being weak in a tournament like the IPL or in sport. That is where the problem is. We have beaten sides in this competition but I felt today we lacked the game sense, which was more important,” he added.
Lucknow’s bowlers did a commendable job of restricting the opponents to 144/4. But the batters failed to step up to the occasion, as seven of them got out without touching the double-digit figure. Deepak Hooda’s 27 was the highest score of the innings.
Gambhir also acknowledged that the Titans’ bowlers fired on all cylinders, but Lucknow should expect more of such performances in a tournament like IPL.
“We knew that they bowled well and we expect them to bowl well. It’s a world-class competition, you’re playing against international bowlers. And we want people to challenge us no doubt about it. That is what we play the sport for. We practice day in and day out because we want to be challenged.”
With this win, Gujarat Titans became the first team to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2022. Lucknow Super Giants also have one foot in the playoffs after winning eight out of twelve matches. Both teams will be next seen in action on Sunday, May 15. Gujarat will take on the defending champion Chennai Super Kings, while Lucknow Super Giants will be up against Rajasthan Royals.
