IPL 2024 : ‘Team That Has Always Played Above Their Potential’: Gavaskar Picks One of the Top 4 Contenders in IPL 2024
The Lucknow Super Giants will be looking for their first title as they compete in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The Lucknow-based franchise has advanced to back-to-back playoffs since its debut in the event in 2022, but has yet to reach the finals. Rahul and co. will attempt to start fresh as the much-anticipated T20 league approaches, led by newly-appointed head coach Justin Langer.
The main attention will be on skipper KL Rahul, who has been in excellent form in the middle order recently. Last year, in the 50-over World Cup at home, the Karnataka batsman scored 452 runs in 11 games, including a century and two fifties. However, his abilities as a middle-order batsman have yet to be tested in T20s. Since returning from injury, Rahul has mostly played ODIs and a few Tests, and the next IPL will provide him a chance to make his case for a berth in India’s T20 World Cup squad.
Meanwhile, former India captain and batting icon Sunil Gavaskar believes Nicholas Pooran should bat at number three if KL Rahul plays at number four. During an interview on Start Sports Network, Gavaskar was asked about LSG’s batting in the IPL 2024, to which he said,
“They’re a good squad. They have been a team that has consistently performed above their capabilities. If they keep doing this, they will always be on the edge of the top four. KL Rahul might bat at No. 4, while Nicholas Pooran could bat at No. 3,” Gavaskar remarked.
“Nicholas Pooran, the more overs he has, the more destructive he becomes. I watched him in Major League Cricket, and he was incredible. So plainly, I believe Pooran needs a couple more overs,” he added.