Steyn Criticizes LSG’s Choice in Super Over
Former South African cricketer Dale Steyn has voiced his disapproval over the Lucknow Super Giants’ decision to send Nicholas Pooran to bat in the Super Over during their match against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The tense game, held on Sunday, April 26, ended in disappointment for LSG, pushing them to the bottom of the points table.
Pooran managed to score only nine runs during regular play and ended up scoreless in the Super Over. Varun Chakravarthy took care of him in the 20 overs, and Sunil Narine struck him out again when it mattered most. This season, Pooran has struggled significantly, accumulating only 82 runs with a disappointing average of 10.25.
Steyn remarked that given Pooran’s ongoing difficulties, LSG should have considered other players like Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, or Mukul Choudhary for the Super Over. He expressed his thoughts during a broadcast, saying, “Sending Pooran in was a questionable choice. He hasn’t been scoring well this season, and to rely on him in such a crucial situation seems unwise.”
Pooran’s Super Over Record
Across his T20 career, Pooran has played in three Super Overs, yet astonishingly, he has been dismissed for a duck each time. His other Super Over outing only yielded a single run. Steyn highlighted that Pooran is likely facing a lack of confidence given his ongoing struggles, adding, “At this point, you need to go with players who are performing well. Pooran might not even believe in himself right now.”
He emphasized the importance of making smart decisions at this stage in the season, where every match counts significantly. With five consecutive losses, the Lucknow Super Giants face challenges ahead as they prepare to take on the Mumbai Indians on Monday, May 4, at Wankhede Stadium.
As the team looks to turn their luck around, fans will be eager to see how they respond in the upcoming match.
