KKR vs LSG: Andy Flower reveals Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul were told 'you can retire

The 66th match of the IPL 2022 between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders was probably one of the finest games this season, courtesy of the thrilling performances that both the teams put up. While the game caught attention because of openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 210-run partnership, head coach Andy Flower revealed that the duo was given the option to retire from batting, looking at the massive efforts they had put in.

Rahul and De Kock put up a massive show on display when they walked out to bat in the first innings against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday (May 18) evening. The duo batted from the start, till the end without losing their wickets and remaining unbeaten throughout the game, thereby posting 210 runs on board. While Quinton De Kock stole the show with his massive 140*(70), Rahul held his game tight with a 68*(51).

“At the end of the 18th over, we sent a message saying, ‘If you guys are too tired hitting the ball hard, you can retire and we’ll send some of our big-hitters in.’ These boys, all of them, from 1 to 9 can hit the ball hard like that,” Flower told Star Sports.

Quinton de Kock hitting balls like that, that’d have given him a lot of satisfaction: Andy Flower

De Kock was dropped on 12, and that dropped catch hurt KKR the most looking at how their game ended. KKR were very close to chasing down the total but fell short by mere two runs, losing on the final ball of the game. But the Proteas wicketkeeper-batter was chivalrous. He faced both the pacers and the spinners with sheer brilliance and pulled out a massive show, thereby registering his second IPL century.

“One boundary is a big boundary, so Quinton hitting balls like that, who’s not renowned for his big-hitting actually, that’d have given him a lot of satisfaction,” Flower added.

De Kock’s inning comprised of 10 fours, and as many sixes, whereas KL Rahul hit three fours and four sixes. The duo showed no mercy on KKR bowlers as each and everyone ended their spell on a pricey note. The openers had targeted Tim Southee, who conceded a whopping 57 runs in his four-over spell. The Knights of Kolkata strived for a wicket, but the Super Giants kept going, thereby winning the game and securing a playoff berth.