New Delhi: Yash Thakur emerged as the hero for Lucknow Super Giants as he defended 21 off the last over and took his team to the playoffs. Rinku Singh’s 67* off 33 went in vain as KKR lost by just one run to exit the tournament. Thakur opened up about bowling the nerve-wrecking over in a candid chat with spinner Ravi Bishnoi.
Yash Thakur said that he stuck to his plan of bowling wide yorkers and while he leaked some runs, but it was not enough for KKR to win. Bishnoi asked him about bowling the last over and winning several games, to which he replied that he has practised for it and has developed some confidence.
From getting the all-important wicket of Andre Russell to bowling the nerve-wracking final over ?
Celebrating @LucknowIPL‘s march to the Playoffs with Yash Thakur & Ravi Bishnoi ???? – By @28anand
Full Interview ?? #TATAIPL | #KKRvLSG https://t.co/xTkSKVv6Oa pic.twitter.com/V8JK6ptSTk
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2023
Thakur asked Bishnoi about picking wickets in the middle, especially the wicket of Andre Russell, who can change the game at any moment. The leggie said that the pitch was not easy for spinners and he was trying to keep the ball away from Russell’s arc. He added that finally in his fourth IPL season he was able to dismiss Russell.
About his juggling catch, Bishnoi said that the ball was turning and the dropped caught and bowled chance of Rinku Singh also made him nervous.
In the game, Nicholas Pooran scored 58 off 30 for LSG to take the total to 176 after a slow start. Krishnappa Gowtham finished the inning for Super Giants with his 11* off 4. After an explosive start, KKR had a opening stand of 61 runs before Gowtham dismissed Venkatesh Iyer for 24 off 15. While Krunal Pandya got the big wicket of Jason Roy for 45(28), it was the wickets of Nitish Rana and Gurbaz that shifted the momentum.
Rinku Singh with his fours and sixes looked to finish the game for KKR, keeping them in the race for the playoffs, but lacking a support from the lower order and missing the mark by barest of margins guided LSG ahead. Rinku hit 6 fours and 4 sixes to score 67* but Yash Thakur’s plan was just enough to win the game.
