A section of fans were not impressed as RCB did not name young Mahipal Lomror in their starting XI after Rajasthan won the toss and opted to field. Mahipal Lomror played two impactful cameos so far in the new season. A section of RCB fans and cricket pundits vented out their frustration on social media after the Royal Challengers did not name young big-hitter Mahipal Lomror in their starting XI for their IPL 2024 match against Rajasthan at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
RCB headed into the match on the back of a two-match losing streak and they were expected to ring in some changes. However, there was a surprise when they left out Mahipal Lomror, who had already played some eye-catching knocks for the Bengaluru side.
Mahipal Lomror’s performance in IPL 2024 as Impact player.
Mahipal Lomror was not named in the starting XI on Saturday in Jaipur. However, the left-hander was named in the Impact Substitutes list. The decision helped raise a few eyebrows as RCB were batting first and they will lose out on a bowler if they bring Lomror as an Impact Substitute in their batting innings.
Notably, Mahipal Lomror, a 24-year-old who previously played for the Royals, was used as an Impact Substitute in the two games he played. Lomror hit a crucial 8-ball 17 in their win over Punjab earlier in the season. However, Lomror was dropped for their next game against the Knight Riders which RCB went on to lose by a big margin.
Lomror then got an opportunity against Lucknow and top-scored with a 13-ball 33 in their unsuccessful chase of 182. RCB were bundled out for 153 after pace sensational Mayank Yadav ran through their batting unit. Mahipal’s knock, which included 3 sixes and as many boundaries, was the lone bright spot for them against LSG on April 2.
RCB’s decision to have Lomror in and out of the XI seems to have irked fans, who did not hold back as soon as the starting XIs were announced in the big game in Jaipur. Also former Indian all rounder Irfan Pathan lashed out at RCB management for not including Mahipal Lomror in the playing 11.
Former Indian all rounder Irfan Pathan questions non inclusion of sensational Mahipal Lomror vs RR in IPL 2024.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has questioned the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for not picking Mahipal Lomror in the IPL 2024 game against the Rajasthan Royals on Saturday in Jaipur. The former World Cup-winner reckons Indian coaches should be part of the thinktank to avoid such mistakes.
Mahipal Lomror has made critical contributions this season. The left-hander made a brisk 17 off 8 in RCB’s win over the Punjab Kings, followed by three fours and as many boundaries in a 13-ball 33 against the Lucknow Super Giants, albeit in a losing cause.
Pathan tweeted:
“Mahipal Lomror plays on this pitch in the domestic cricket n he wasn’t part of the playing 11. He has shown some form too. Indian coaches needs to get involve in the IPL so these basic mistakes doesn’t happen. This is just one example.”
RCB named another 23-year-old young batter in Saurav Chauhan in their starting XI for the game in Jaipur. Captain Faf du Plessis heaped praise on the big-hitter, son of a groundsman in Ahmedabad.
“Not many people know him. He has some serious amount of skill and batting power, and looks like a nice and calm guy.” Du Plessis said.
Although Virat Kohli scored his eight IPL century and continued his merry ways , RCB faltered in defending a modest 183 on the board as Jos Buttler scored a counter attacking 100 and RCB with 4 defeats from 5 games now only has brain to scratch for management’s decision for not playing the right player in right position at right time.