Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is one of the teams that has a good chance of qualifying for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. Although they lost against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday (May 5), they are still favorites to reach the top 4.
Lucknow Super Giants did not have a great outing in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders. They were dominated by the Shreyas Iyer-led team in all three departments of the game and suffered a huge 98-run defeat at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
The Lucknow Super Giants initially did not have a great start with the ball. Their players were taken to the cleaners and ended up conceding 235 runs, the highest total ever achieved at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow in T20 history.
Naveen-ul-Haq picked three wickets with the ball and gave away 49 runs. Apart from Ravi Bishnoi, who returned with figures of 1/34, all other players had an economy of more than 12, which speaks of a poor bowling performance.
With the bat, Lucknow Super Giants did not get off to a great start as they lost Arshin Kulkarni early and after that, they played the catch game. Captain KL Rahul (25) and Marcus Stoinis (36) tried to up the ante but died after the start.
After that, Kolkata Knight Riders continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals. Nicholas Pooran (10), Ayush Badoni (15) and Ashton Turner (16) lost their wickets as Lucknow Super Giants suffered a massive 98-run loss in what was their last game at home.
Lucknow Super Giants qualification scenario for IPL 2024 playoffs
The loss against Kolkata Knight Riders was the fifth defeat for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. However, even after the loss, they are at the fifth position in the points table. The team led by KL Rahul has 6 wins under its belt and 12 points. But after his 98-run defeat, his NRR dropped to -0.371.
However, Lucknow Super Giants are still in the hunt for the playoffs. If they manage to win the remaining three games, they will reach 18 points, which will ensure their qualification for the league playoffs and could even secure them first place.
Even if they lose one of the three remaining games, they are still favorites to qualify with 16 points. They cannot afford to lose two of the three remaining games as it could cost them a spot. Losing two and winning one takes them to 14, where others can also reach and could be missed due to negative NRR. Therefore, their qualification for the IPL 2024 playoffs is in their own hands. If they manage to do so, it will be the third time in a row that they will reach the final of the tournament.