Gautam Gambhir unhappy with KL Rahul’s batting approach

Bangalore beat Lucknow in the Eliminator game of the Indian T20 League 2022 on May 25. The game was a high-scoring one with both teams scoring a total of 400 runs with the Red Army scoring 207 runs. Chasing 208, the Indian T20 League debutants, Lucknow lost the early wickets of Quinton de Kock and Manan Vohra. Skipper KL Rahul took the responsibility of batting throughout the innings.

However, his slow approach meant that the required run rate kept creeping up leading to the defeat of the team by 14 runs. After the game, players from both teams were on one side of the ground. The official broadcasters caught a moment on camera where Lucknow mentor Gautam Gambhir was seen scolding Rahul on the sidelines. This was a case of Gambhir unhappy with Rahul’s batting approach as the fans were also disappointed with the batter’s approach.

Gautam Gambhir and KL Rahul had a little chat after the game. pic.twitter.com/eSNmxcFiT0

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 25, 2022

The right-hander’s approach of batting throughout the innings was creating pressure on other batter. Deepak Hooda did bat with a strike rate of more than 170 but he was seen trying to hit the ball hard rather than relying on timing. The reason for Hooda’s approach was the increasing required run rate. Marcus Stoinis, who came into bat hit a second-ball six but could only score only nine runs in as many balls.

Experts believe that Rahul could have taken the attack on the opposition bowling after the wicket of Hooda as he was  well-set at the time. Although he did hit a four and a six against Wanindu Hasaranga in 17th over, his overall approach wasn’t satisfactory as far as the team is concerned.

Meanwhile, with this loss,Lucknow has been eliminated from the title race. Winners Bangalore will play Rajasthan for a place in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 27 in Qualifier 2. The team hasn’t played the final of the cash-rich league since 2016 when they lost to Hyderabad in the final. They would like to book their place in the final and have a go at the ever-elusive title.