KL Rahul's form critical for LSG to post strong score on board: Nikhil Chopra

KL Rahul has been a consistent run-scorer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the last three-four editions. He was snapped by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the 2022 season and is leading the team as well. Ahead of the team’s crucial last league fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the former Indian cricketers Nikhil Chopra and Mohammad Azharuddin opened up on the form of KL Rahul and Jason Holder respectively.

Chopra reckoned that Rahul was terrific in the first eight games, which helped the team to win the matches easily. However, he mentioned that with the drop in the form of the LSG captain, the team has been unable to post a strong total and has lost on most occasions. Meanwhile, Rahul has already scored a half-century in the ongoing fixture against KKR.

“In the first eight games, he scored at an average of 61.33, with two tons, which helped the team to win the matches. But in the last five matches, his form has certainly dropped with only 1 fifty, which has put pressure on the middle-order, and the team unable to post a good total on the board,” said Chopra on Sky247.net presents ‘Not Just Cricket’ Show on CricTracker.

Chopra added that the team took the wrong decision to put Ayush Badoni at the number three position when Deepak Hooda was consistent in scoring runs.

“In the last game, the youngster [Badoni] was invited at number three, with Hooda already doing well in that position. On the other hand, Krunal has not been able to convert his starts as well,” he added.

Jason Holder should be promoted up the order: Mohammad Azharuddin

Azharuddin thinks the experienced Caribbean player, Jason Holder is one of the finest all-rounders, and has proven clean hitting abilities, but is coming at the end when there are not enough overs left. He added that the team management should think of promoting Holder to the number five position, which can help the team’s cause.

“I think Jason Holder is one of the finest all-rounders in the game and has not been used in a proper manner. He has good reach and clean hitting abilities, but you send him at the end, which is not helping the cause. I think he should come to bat at the number five position and the team management should think of promoting him up the order so that he will realize the responsibility and do well for the team,” said Azharuddin.