IPL 2022, PBKS vs LSG: Bowlers shine as Lucknow Super Giants cruise to 20-run win over Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings walked in for the IPL mega auction in February, all they wanted was a couple of quality death bowlers, something which they have missed over the past many seasons. Up against a formidable Lucknow Super Giants on Friday, Punjab finally got their weak-link sorted as Kagiso Rabada and Sandeep Sharma wreaked havoc to restrict the opposition to 153/8. The batters, however, let the red and gold brigade down as Punjab eventually lost by 20 runs at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

Punjab’s chase got off to a flier with Mayank Agarwal slamming a couple of sixes and fours for his 17-ball 25 but soon lost track as the skipper wasted another decent start. Shikhar Dhawan (6) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (9) failed to do an encore of their previous outing. The introduction of spin at both ends derailed Punjab’s innings as Ravi Bishnoi (1/41) and Krunal Pandya (2/11) accounted for the scalps of the left-handers. Tottering at 58/3, Punjab needed someone to arrest the slump and the English pair of Jonny Bairstow (32 off 28, 4x5) and Liam Livingstone got to business by milking Bishnoi for 18 runs, before young Mohsin Khan (3/24) announced his arrival by breaking the flourishing 30-run stand with the scalp of Livingstone (18 off 16, 6x2).

Dushmantha Chameera turned the momentum in Lucknow’s favour by dismissing Bairstow, who was undone while attempting a skier to match the asking rate. Rishi Dhawan hung around till the end, scoring an unbeaten 21 off 22, reminding Punjab that their one-dimension batting approach needs a relook. Earlier, Sandeep (1/18) and Rabada (4/38) helped their side roar back after Quinton de Kock and Deepak Hooda kept Punjab on their toes for a major part of the first 10 overs. Winning their second toss in nine