Rahul, The Super Giant: Lucknow captain scores unbeaten 103 in a 36-run win against Mumbai Indians

MUMBAI: KL Rahul played a captain’s knock to guide his team to a 36-run win over Mumbai Indians in the IPL here on Sunday. This is Lucknow’s fifth win in eight matches this season, while five-time champion Mumbai is yet to get off the mark losing eight games on the trot.

Mumbai struggled in its chase with Ishan Kishan struggling to get going in his laborious innings of 8 (20b). Dewald Brevis and Suryakumar Yadav perished cheaply leaving Rohit Sharma with an uphill task. Sharma scored 39 (31b, 5x4, 1x6) but got out with his team still needing in excess of 100 runs. Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers taking three for 19.

Rahul, who had scored a century against Mumbai a few days ago, smashed an unbeaten 103 off 62 balls with the help of 12 fours and four maximums but he didn’t get enough help from the other batters. Manish Pandey had a 58-run stand with Rahul but he lacked intent during his run-a-ball 22, while Marcus Stoinis (0), Krunal Pandya (1) and Deepak Hooda (10) paraded back to the hut in quick succession.

Later, Rahul added another 47 off 25 balls with young Ayush Badoni (14) to take Lucknow to a competitive score.

For Mumbai, Australian Daniel Sams, who had snapped four wickets the other day against Chennai Super Kings, had a forgettable evening as he conceded 40 runs in his four overs.

Kieron Pollard pulled things back a bit as he snapped two wickets in two overs, while Riley Meredith accounted for two but conceded 40, with Jasprit Bumrah once again displaying his brilliance as an all-format great.

After deciding to bowl, the Mumbai bowlers were on the money at the start with Bumrah dealing the first blow, removing Quinton de Kock (10) with Rohit Sharma taking a low dipping catch at short cover.

Rahul and Pandey struggled to up the ante as pressure was maintained from both ends.

Rahul then sprung into action with a maximum over deep mid-wicket off Unadkat, while Pandey deposited Meredith into the sightscreen.

The skipper then pulled one across the deep mid-wicket, before cutting the next ball over point for successive boundaries as the Lucknow team racked up 17 runs to reach 72 for one at the half way stage.

Brief scores: Lucknow Super Giants 168/6 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 103*) bt Mumbai Indians 132/8 in 20 overs (K Pandya 3/19)

Struggling Chennai and Punjab seek revival

Chennai Super Kings would look for inspiration from the talismanic Mahendra Singh Dhoni once again while eyeing improvement on multiple fronts when it takes on Punjab Kings on Monday.

Chennai has won two out of its seven matches so far while Punjab is a touch better with three victories from seven outings.