"Both wins were hard work" - KL Rahul after Lucknow Super Giants overcome defiant SunRisers Hyderabad

KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants defeated SRH by 5 wickets to register their 2nd win of the IPL 2023.

Lucknow Super Giants bounced back in style as KL Rahul top-scored in the 10th match of IPL 2023 against Aiden Markram-led SunRisers Hyderabad in Lucknow. KL Rahul revealed they understood what kind of a wicket they were to play, but admitted that the opposition made them work for it.

The Super Giants did a commendable job with the ball after the SunRisers elected to field first. Led by Krunal Pandya's outstanding figures of 4-0-18-3, they restricted the SunRisers to a mere 127 in 20 overs. Only Rahul Tripathi and Amolpreet Singh passed 30 as their innings failed to gather momentum at any stage. While the Super Giants also lost five wickets, at no point their run-chase looked off track.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rahul observed that the wicket looked tricky from the get-go, evidenced during Jaydev Unadkat's bowling. The right-hander conceded that both wins weren't easy to come by and are looking forward to new challenges.

"We realised yesterday how the wicket was going to play! We knew what we were getting into. We saw in the first couple of overs: when Jaydev bowled a few cutters, they were gripping. I knew KP's better in the powerplay. Both wins were hard work, had different challenges. We have been here for a few weeks. Just a general chat with the batsmen; each person plays differently.", said KL Rahul

Krunal Pandya, who also scored a brisk 23-ball 34 to break the back of the modest target, picked up the decisive wicket of Aiden Markram. The right-hander walked into the middle, looking to take control of the match and came on the back of some outstanding performances for South Africa. However, he perished for a first-ball duck.

After receiving the Player of the Match award, Krunal Pandya claimed that the hard work in the last few months have paid off and enjoys batting higher up the order.

"Very good day at the office. Both [wickets and runs] pleased me. Everything was special today. [SRH] having more right-handers, I knew I was going to bowl early. Once you have clarity, things automatically fall into place. Last four or five months I took a break from cricket. I just worked on my skills, especially on bowling. Worked on my action... wanted to get that arm ball going. Pretty much enjoying batting. Trying to recollect my first few years in IPL where I was batting at No. 4 for Mumbai. I am absolutely okay with any track."

"It's a new game of cricket starting for us on Sunday" - Aiden Markram

SRH skipper Aiden Markram reflected that a score ranging between 150-160 would have been good on the wicket, but praised his bowlers for making the opposition earn their runs.

"Not enough. That 150-160 mark, and we would have been in the game. We realised it wasn't going to be a great wicket for batting., happy to fight it out and scratch away. Good effort with the ball. They tried hard, and fought. It's a new game of cricket starting for us on Sunday.", said Aiden Markram

With yet another loss, the Orange Army are yet to open their account in IPL 2023. They will hope to do so against the undefeated Punjab Kings in Hyderabad on Sunday.