'He is a terrific reader of the game' - Sunil Gavaskar showered praise on Krunal Pandya after LSG's narrow victory against MI

Lucknow Super Giants edged past Mumbai Indians in a last-over thriller in Lucknow to boost their chances of finishing in a playoff spot. While Marcus Stoinis and Mohsin Khan shone for the Lucnkow-based franchise, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was all praise for LSG skipper Krunal Pandya after their victory.

LSG were dealt a severe blow after influential skipper KL Rahul was ruled out of the ongoing IPL 2023 due to an unfortunate injury. However, his deputy, Krunal Pandya has done a superb job after taking over the leadership role in Rahul's absence. Much like his brother Hardik Pandya, Krunal is a shrewd operator, and it was his ability to read the game, which helped his side triumph over his former side in Lucknow.

Indian batting icon Sunil Gavaskar applauded Krunal's leadership qualities after LSG's victory, praising his ability to read the game. His decision to back Mohsin Khan was a decisive factor in the match as the LSG pacer successfully defended 11 runs in the final over despite leaking runs in the initial stages of the second innings.

"Whatever I have seen of Krunal Pandya, he is a terrific reader of the game. Before he was the captain, he used to play for Mumbai Indians, even there his reading of the game, of the situation is great. He bowls a different sort of line depending on the batters' strength so that is all about being aware and also about the fact that he reads the opponents well, he reads his own game well," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

LSG in pole position to secure a playoff berth for a second consecutive season

Apart from his leadership qualities, Krunal also shone with his all-around abilities in his side's crucial encounter against the five-time champions. He stitched an invaluable partnership with Marcus Stoinis in the first innings after a flurry of wickets and also did a commendable job with the ball, restricting the flow of runs in the second innings.

His side are now in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages for a second season running. While Marcus Stoinis has seemed to found his form at just the right time for LSG, the bowlers are buoyed by the return of Mohsin Khan in the starting eleven.