'We could've probably finished at 220' - KL Rahul ponders over missed opportunities against Rajasthan Royals

Lucknow Super Giants lost their recent clash against Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling run chase. Both sides faced off in the 44th game of the tournament at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, April 27. The clash began with Lucknow Super Giants coming in to bat first, and the side got off to a subpar start. 

Opener Quinton de Kock was sent packing for just eight runs, with Marcus Stoinis going for a duck. The hosts found themselves in a complex situation in the early stages of the game. However, it was the knocks of KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda that propelled LSG to a good total. 

Rahul amassed 76 runs in 48 deliveries, whereas Hooda added 50 runs in 31 balls. LSG posted a total of 196 runs in the first innings, but it still was not enough as RR chased down the target and won the game by seven wickets. 

After the clash, LSG skipper KL Rahul came forward to talk about how he and Deepak Hooda should have added 20 more runs on the board, and a total of 220 runs would have sufficed against Royals, even providing a cushion for their bowlers. 

"We left about 20 runs behind, We didn't get off to an ideal start but the partnership that me and Deepak Hooda had [got us on track]. Once we were set, that's the time [in which] if Hooda could have pushed on, got 20 more runs and if I could have pushed on and gotten 20 more runs, we could've probably finished at 220; and we're seeing with more games being played that it's important for the batters to make sure we give that extra cushion for the bowlers,” Rahul was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

I think we should have capitalized a bit more: Rahul

Furthermore, Rahul heaped praise on Rajasthan Royals’ performance with the ball in the first innings. It is worth noting that Lucknow were 150 for 3 by the 15th over, and only managed to score 46 runs in the final five overs of the first innings. 

"They [RR] bowled well in the last couple of overs; we were in a good position at 150 for 3 by the end of the 15th over. So, I think we should have capitalised a bit more and got about 20–25 runs more,” Rahul said.