IPL 2023: LSG skipper Krunal Pandya explains motive behind Quinton de Kock’s absence from IPL eliminator towards MI

Lucknow Tremendous Giants (LSG) made some noticeable modifications to their lineup for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 Eliminator towards Mumbai Indians (MI) in Chennai on Wednesday (Could 24), with the Krunal Pandya-led facet determined to not go along with aggressive opener Quinton de Kock for the essential fixture.

Lucknow, who had been invited to bat first by Mumbai within the last recreation of the season at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, began with solely three abroad gamers of their XI, with Kyle Mayers named within the Affect Substitutes record.

With de Kock not taking part in, West Indian middle-order batter Nicholas Pooran was given the wicket preserving duties. In the long run, LSG confronted defeat by 81 runs within the Eliminator match towards MI. They had been bundled out for 101 runs within the seventeenth over whereas chasing 183 runs on a sluggish pitch in Chennai. The final time LSG performed at Chepauk, Mayers struck a thunderous 50, however he couldn’t match that efficiency this time and was dismissed by Chris Jordan for 18 from 13 balls within the fourth over.

After the 81-run loss, LSG’s skipper Pandya defined within the post-match presentation why Lucknow dropped ‘world-class batter’ De Kock from the taking part in eleven.

“It’s at all times a troublesome choice. Quinton de Kock is a high quality participant. I imply he’s a world-class batter. But it surely’s simply Kyle [Mayers] had a greater report over right here [in Chennai]. We simply felt we are able to go along with Kyle,” Pandya informed the broadcasters.

De Kock is likely one of the finest T20 gamers on the planet, however he warmed a bench for the primary half of the season due to Mayers’ high performances. He lastly obtained an opportunity to play when KL Rahul obtained injured. De Kock did a good job with a bat and scored 143 runs in these 4 matches with a strike fee 140.

LSG have been eradicated from IPL 2023 after the loss towards MI. In the meantime, MI will head to Ahmedabad and tackle Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 2.