It's very unfortunate that someone like Quinton has to sit out: KL Rahul

Ahead of the match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper, KL Rahul stated that it was quite 'unfortunate' that Quinton de Kock was having to miss out on matches. Notably, Sanju Samson’s Royals locked horns with LSG at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur in Match 26 of the ongoing IPL 2023.

In the 2022 season, KL Rahul and De Kock formed the regular opening pair for LSG during the course of the competition. Moreover, LSG were dependent on the top order, as the duo managed to do the bulk of the scoring for the side. 

However, De Kock has not played a single match upon his return from the conclusion of his international assignment with South Africa. Meanwhile, explosive all-rounder Kyle Mayers has been plying his trade for the franchise and has regularly featured in the playing XI, displaying impressive performances. 

In the first two games of the season against DC and CSK, Mayers notched up two half-centuries on the trot with scores of 73 and 53 runs respectively and has fared well with the ball. Considering that there are only four slots for overseas players in an IPL playing XI, Rahul opined that it was ‘unfortunate’ to see De Kock warm the bench.

"It's very unfortunate that someone like Quinton has to sit out. But unfortunately, there are only four foreign players [per XI] that can play in this competition. He'll just have to wait for some more time. Kyle is doing really well. It's a bit unfortunate. You feel bad. I've enjoyed playing and enjoyed opening with Quinton, but for now, he's still not playing,” Rahul told during the toss ahead of the RR-LSG clash.

The South Africa wicketkeeper-batter got 508 runs at an average of 36.28 and a strike rate of 148.97 in the 2022 season of the cash-rich league. He laced it with three half-centuries and one ton in the lucrative T20 league and will look to come all guns blazing when he takes the field for the side this edition. 

Rahul's poor show in powerplay continues against RR

KL Rahul, who has had to bear his fair share of criticism for being slow in the powerplay, once again failed to make it count in the first six overs of the game played against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday, April 19. Playing at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Rahul drove his innings at an ordinary strike rate of 121.88, as he could only score 39 in 32 deliveries, which included four fours and one six.

Not only that, he also played a maiden off the innings' first over which was delivered by Trent Boult. He finally fell prey to Jason Holder who got him caught by Jos Buttler to hand Rajasthan their first breakthrough in the 11th over.