CSK vs LSG: KL Rahul's mindset questioned by former CSK man after LSG thumps the Men in Yellow

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa believes that KL Rahul's aggressive approach and his consistency in maintaining this style for the remainder of the ongoing IPL 2024 will play a significant role in his selection for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Uthappa also expressed surprise at Rahul not fully utilizing his wide range of shots and seeming to retreat into a defensive mindset during the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) versus Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL 2024 clash at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday, April 19.

However, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain played a brilliant knock of 82 runs off 53 balls and stitched a 134-run stand alongside Quinton de Kock (54) for the opening wicket to help his team chase down a 177-run target on a sluggish surface with ease against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

KL Rahul have 50-50 chances for T20 World Cup 2024: Robin Uthappa

Rahul, during his brave knock, hammered nine fours and three sixes as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) registered an 8-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with six balls to spare to bolster their position in the IPL 2024 points table.

He scored those runs at a strike rate of 154.72. Notably, the right-hander swiftly scored 33 runs off a mere 16 deliveries during the powerplay and eventually completed his fifty in just 31 balls against CSK.

Meanwhile, after the LSG vs CSK match, Uthappa said that it would be interesting to see whether Rahul maintained his aggressive style in the upcoming matches, but he still has 50-50 chances to make it to India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

Robin Uthappa said on Jio Cinema: “Two things for me that, I would say, still 50-50. One was his health; the second was the way he was batting a couple of weeks ago. The last 3-4 games, the way he has batted, was phenomenal to watch. When he is on song, when he is playing on the merit of the ball, he's class. He makes batting look so good. He's one of those guys who make it a delightful experience.”

Uthappa furher noted, “The unconventional shots, the upper-cut, or the backfoot punch over the extra cover for a six… I look at that and I'm like, ‘how is this guy doing (that)?’ The skill effort that he possesses… he has so much time. The thing is that the guy with that much ability is going into a shell, saying I need to bat long tonight… he doesn't need to do that. Just back your skill.”

Rahul joins the race for the Orang Cap

Notably, Rahul has now joined the race for the Orang Cap, having so far amassed 286 runs at a strike rate of 143 and an average of 40 in his 7 appearances for Lucknow in the ongoing IPL 2024. He is presently the fourth-highest run- scorer in this season, behind RCB’s Virat Kohli (361), RR’s Riyan Parag (318), and MI’s Rohit Sharma (297).

Well, the fifth-ranked LSG and third-ranked CSK on the IPL 2024 points table will face each other once again in their next IPL 2024 clash on April 23 at the M. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.