Lucknow Super Giants: Why they stumble at playoffs

Lucknow Super Giants have made it to two playoffs in two successive years, but the manner in which they surrendered to five-time champions Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Wednesday raises several questions. The primary among them is: Are Lucknow going the Royal Challengers Bangalore way?

Bangalore made it to the final in the second edition of the IPL in 2009 and lost to Deccan Chargers. Since then they have entered playoffs many times, including a few finals, but still a maiden title is eluding them. One of the reasons for Bangalore’s failure is that they depend heavily on a few individuals. “With just two or three players performing, you cannot win the IPL title. It has been the case with Royal Challengers Bangalore. They depend on Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell in batting and Mohammed Shami for bowling. You need a team that has everyone performing,” former Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas told Gulf News recently.

Similarly, Lucknow depend on a couple of individuals to steer them to victory. Mostly it has been Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis on odd occasions. The absence of KL Rahul was a blow as the team looked a bit rudderless after the opener left midway through injury. Bowling was certainly a weak link. Young spinner Ravi Bishnoi was among the wickets, but he alone could not make adifference. Medium-pacer Yash Thakur and Afghanistan left-arm pacer Naveen-ul-Haq were impressive in fits and starts.

Dropping in-form Kyle Mayers for the experienced Quinton de Kock towards the latter stages backfired. The West Indian had a few half-centuries and was giving brisk starts, while de Kock scored a 70 in his first match this season, but could not click later on.