Former Indian fast bowler Mohit Sharma slammed Lucknow Super Giants’ tactics after they suffered a massive 54-run loss against Punjab Kings at New Chandigarh on Sunday. Chasing a huge target of 255 runs against the hosts, LSG promoted Ayush Badoni to open the innings with Mitchell Marsh in place of Aiden Markram.
Badoni scored 35 runs off 21 balls while opening for the first time in the IPL whereas Aiden Markram was pushed down to number five. The South African batter scored 42 runs off 22 balls as LSG were totally outplayed by PBKS.
Mohit Sharma questioned LSG’s strategy of rotating multiple openers after only six games.
“It is only your sixth match, and you have already rotated your openers 3-4 times. Today, they went with Badoni alongside Mitchell Marsh. No doubt Badoni did well, but was he your best choice while chasing 255? The kind of form that Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram were in, that was the best chance for LSG to score 80-90 runs in the powerplay,” Mohit Sharma said on Cricbuzz.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary questioned LSG for demoting Aiden Markram down the order and said the team would not be settled if they continue making so many changes.
“Aiden Markram is a player who has proved himself in international cricket, is the captain of his country, and he has played well. If you are not trusting him to open, why are you even playing him? When you don’t trust a player and make him bat out of his position, it is better to drop or rest him, and bring in someone like Arshin Kulkarni. If you make so many changes, the team will not settle only,” Manoj Tiwary said.
The former Bengal cricketer also questioned Nicholas Pooran’s form. The left-hander was dismissed for a run-a-ball nine after he was bamboozled by a slower delivery from Marco Jansen.
“I don’t know what has happened to Nicholas Pooran. His poor form raises some serious questions as to how such a quality player has dipped. If you don’t play around the year, you will see such performances and poor form from players. In the time to come, the owners and the decision makers will have to think twice before going for players who have retired from international cricket.” Manoj Tiwary said.
LSG will next take on KKR at Lucknow on Sunday.
