On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, the Lucknow Super Giants will host the Chennai Super Kings in match 45 of the Indian Premier League 2023 season. MS Dhoni, captain of the CSK, gained the toss and chose to bowl first. After regular captain KL Rahul sustained an injury while fielding against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous game, LSG are now under the leadership of all-rounder Krunal Pandya.
Krunal Pandya’s first innings as IPL captain were forgettable, as he was run out for a duck after edging his first delivery direct to first slip. Pandya strode to the crease at number four after LSG lost their second wicket in the sixth over of their innings.
The southpaw fell victim to Maheesh Theekshana on the very first delivery of his IPL captaincy debut, suffering the humiliation of being dismissed without scoring. Aiden Markram (SRH vs. LSG, IPL 2023) and VVS Laxman (DC vs. KKR, IPL 2008) are also on the list, so the 32-year-old isn’t the only player with an undesirable record.
After Rahul was injured during the first inning of the previous match, Pandya took over as captain for the remainder of the contest.
Rain hinders the LSG vs. CSK matchup
After being asked to bat first, LSG got off to a poor start, as they were floundering at 44/5 in 9.4 overs with CSK spinners having a field day in Lucknow on a favorable wicket. Nicholas Pooran (20 off 31) and Ayush Badoni (59* off 33) added 59 runs off 48 balls after observing that their team was in difficulty.
Matheesha Pathirana dismissed Pooran in the 18th over, ending their partnership. However, Badoni persisted in its assault and reduced LSG to 125/7 after 19.2 overs before rain interrupted play. CSK took two wickets from Moeen Ali (2/13), Maheesh Theekshana (2/37), and Matheesha Pathirana (2/22 in 3.2 overs), while Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket in three overs.
India
