Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) assistant coach Lance Klusener has openly disagreed with Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant regarding the reason for LSG’s one-wicket defeat in their IPL 2025 clash on Monday. While Pant believed his side had enough runs on the board in Visakhapatnam, Klusener pointed fingers at LSG’s batting unit, stating they were 20-30 runs short.
Conflicting Views on LSG’s Total
Pant, speaking at the post-match presentation, expressed confidence in his team’s batting performance, saying, “I think our top-order batters played really well, and I think it was a pretty good score on this wicket.”
However, Klusener, the former South African all-rounder, had a starkly different take on the matter. He felt that LSG’s batting unit failed to capitalize on the conditions and left too many runs on the field.
“If I have to put a finger on it, I would like to say we’ve probably left 20 or 30 runs with the bat out there. That was probably why we ended up being under pressure with the ball,” Klusener was quoted as saying by India Today.
He further explained that while DC’s batters, particularly Ashutosh Sharma, finished well, LSG had put themselves in a vulnerable position due to their below-par total.
“I thought when the bowlers got it right, there was a little bit of spin, so I thought it was a very good wicket. There was a little bit in there for everybody,” he added.
Ashutosh Sharma’s Heroics Stun LSG
Despite LSG’s strong position in the game, Delhi Capitals found an unlikely hero in uncapped cricketer Ashutosh Sharma, who played an outstanding knock to guide his side to victory.
DC was reeling at 65/5 while chasing a daunting 210-run target, but Ashutosh stepped up in spectacular fashion. The 26-year-old, brought in as an impact substitute for Mukesh Kumar, turned the tide with a fearless display of power-hitting. His unbeaten 66 off 31 balls, capped off with a match-winning six, showcased his temperament under pressure and cemented his place as a rising star.
His innings not only secured DC’s win but also left LSG questioning their overall performance, with Klusener stressing the need for a stronger mindset going forward.
“I think we play in three days’ time, so we’ve got to just make sure the youngsters are positive. We need to keep them believing in their ability,” Klusener stated.
LSG’s Road Ahead
While LSG will be eager to move past this defeat, the contrasting opinions between Pant and Klusener highlight potential areas of concern for the team. As they prepare for their next fixture, all eyes will be on how they address their batting concerns and bounce back stronger in IPL 2025.