LSG suffered a 54-run defeat against MI at Wankhede yesterday. This defeat also affected their net run rate and made their playoff chances more difficult. They have to win 3 out of 4 matches with a better net run rate to firmly cement their spot in the top 4. As of now LSG has 10 points from 10 matches with a NRR of -0.325 which can hurt them.
Lack of runs from the top order
When you are chasing such a huge total of 215, you need one batter from the top to play a long innings. LSG’s strength has been their top 3 in all the matches, and everyone failed to score a big score today. Aiden Markram was trapped by Bumrah and got caught in the deep square leg. He got out for 9 runs off 11 balls.
Mitchell Marsh got a great start but couldn’t maximize it with a huge score as he lost his wicket to Trent Boult in the 12th over. He got out for 34 runs off 24 balls. Nicholos Pooran was considered the X factor in this chase. He smashed Deepak Chahar for hat-trick sixes in the powerplay.
But, he went for the lofted shot in the first ball after the powerplay from Will Jacks, caught by Suryakumar Yadav in the long off. Suryakumar Yadav never drops in a long off. He went out for 27 runs off 15 balls. All these cameos won’t help in a huge run chase.
Poor form of middle-order batters
LSG’s middle order has been a concern this season. David Miller is yet to play a decent knock for them, while the Captain, Rishabh Pant struggles to find his form with just one fifty in this season. Today, Rishabh came to bat after the wicket of Nicholos Pooran.
He edged the first ball, and it went for the boundary. He played an unwanted reverse sweep in the next ball and was caught by Karan Sharma. He lasted for only two deliveries. Two big wickets in the same over put immense pressure on LSG batters.
Miller, on the other hand, still is not settling in properly with this team. He started well but couldn’t make it into a big score again. He got out for 24 runs off 16 balls. Miller’s struggle at the finishing line impacts the team’s performance, and it also adds pressure on youngsters like Ayush Badoni.
Miller needs to unleash his “Killer Miller” version for LSG to qualify for the playoffs this season.