MI vs LSG: KL Rahul brutally slammed by Mohammad Kaif following LSG's loss to DC

Mohammad Kaif was not impressed with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) KL Rahul's captaincy during the recent match against the Delhi Capitals (DC). Mohammad Kaif criticized KL Rahul's decision to field first, despite the trend of teams batting first winning at this venue.

The Super Giants suffered a 19-run loss to the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday, May 14. The KL Rahul-led team is virtually knocked out of the tournament following the loss. They are in seventh place in the standings with 12 points in 13 matches.

The Rishabh Pant-led team set a 209-run target after losing the toss. Young batters Abishek Porel (58) and Tristan Stubbs (57) scored half-centuries for the home team. In response, the Lucknow franchise managed to score 189 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.

Didn't Go With Any Numbers - Mohammad Kaif

Speaking on Star Sports, Mohammad Kaif criticized Rahul's decision to field first. Kaif pointed out that teams batting first consistently won at the venue. He stated that Rahul needs to make positive decisions as a captain.

"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.

"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," he added.

Teams batting first have won all five games, including the recent clash between DC and LSG at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. The team batting second has failed to chase down 200-plus totals at this venue.

There Will Be A Question Mark On The Bowling As Well - Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif also criticized the Lucknow Super Giants' bowling strategy. The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that LSG failed to restrict DC to a below-par total despite dismissing in-form batter Jake Fraser-McGurk earlier in the match.

"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," Kaif further said.

KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, and Deepak Hooda were dismissed inside five overs. Nicholas Pooran scored 61 off 27 balls, featuring six fours and four sixes. Arshad Khan scored an unbeaten 58 off 33 deliveries, including three fours and five sixes.

The KL Rahul-led team will take on the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their last league stage match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday, May 17. The LSG team is unlikely to secure a playoff berth even if they register a massive win in their next match.

Also read: PAK vs IRE: Babar Azam breaks Virat Kohli's massive batting record during the third T20I against Ireland