After 14-Ball 16, KL Rahul's Honest Response On His Approach In T20 Cricket

Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul was all praise for Marcus Stoinis' match-winning 63-ball-124 not out against Chennai Super Kings as he felt that the home team's score of 210 for 4 was at least 30 runs above-par on that particular Chepauk track. Stoinis' special effort overshadowed a classy century by CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad in their IPL match on Tuesday as LSG won by six wickets. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

Rahul, who once said strike-rates are over-rated in T20s, admitted that a total like 180 which was considered challenging might not be enough in the day and age of 'Impact Player'.

“Very special (win), especially when it is a game like that. It felt like we were way behind the game in the chase. Just to pull off a victory feels special,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Rahul said their win against CSK in Lucknow had little context on a very different Chennai deck.

“These were different conditions. They got off to a good start and put pressure on the bowlers. I didn't think it was a 210 wicket.

“They batted really well. All credits to Stoinis. He was phenomenal to watch. It was not just power hitting, but was smart batting.”

Sending Stoinis at No. 3 was a smart move by LSG management and Rahul feels they had to take a "brave" call.

“We wanted to be a lot braver as a team. We had three games, a couple at home, and some away where we couldn't go past 170. We needed one power hitter in the top three. That was the thought process," he said.

When asked about change in his own batting approach, Rahul said: “I have also realised that T20 cricket has changed in the last couple of years – 170-180 does not always cut it. You have to go harder in the powerplay.

“The Impact player gives you depth and that