“KL Rahul disappointed a lot as a captain” – Mohammad Kaif on LSG’s IPL 2024 loss to DC

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif said that KL Rahul disappointed him a lot as a leader after LSG’s 19-run loss against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday. DC posted a par score of 208 runs on the board after Rahul decided to bowl first and LSG was restricted to 189-9.

LSG has managed six wins in 13 matches they have played in the ongoing season and they are on the verge of elimination as they have a poor Net Run Rate of -0.787.

Meanwhile, Rahul has scored 465 runs in 13 matches of the season at an average of 36.77 and a strike rate of 136.36.

Kaif slammed Rahul’s decision to bowl first against Delhi Capitals despite the records favoring the team batting first in Delhi.

“Take the video analyst’s computer and put it away. They didn’t go with any numbers. 200 has not been chased here at all. I am telling you this year’s numbers. In all four matches, the team batting first has won. You won the toss and said you would field first,” Kaif said on Star Sports.

Meanwhile, Arshad Khan scored 58 runs off 33 balls to give a glimmer of hope to LSG. Kaif feels LSG would have suffered a more ignominious loss if not for the left-hander’s maiden IPL fifty.

“If you leave aside Arshad Khan’s knock, it was a very bad defeat. Arshad saved your pride a little. I believe it was a horrible decision not to bat first here. KL Rahul disappointed a lot as a captain. You said you would play positive but you need to make positive decisions as well,” the former India batter added.

Kaif also lashed out at LSG’s bowling for conceding 208 runs despite dismissing in-form Jake Fraser-McGurk for a duck. Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs scored 58 and 57 runs respectively for DC.

“You checked the pitch and felt that it had moisture. There was no moisture – 200 is scored here. The biggest mistake was the decision at the toss. After that, you allowed them to score 200 even after dismissing Jake Fraser-McGurk. So there will be a question mark on the bowling as well,” he said.

“Delhi will not gain anything from this. They got two points but their net run rate has not improved much. Lucknow had everything to gain from this match. They had to lose or gain. If they had won, they could have reached 16 points. I believe it was an absolute flop show from Lucknow,” Kaif elaborated.

LSG will play their last league stage match of the season against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday.