Lucknow Super Giants registered their fourth win of IPL 2024 by eight wickets in Lucknow on Friday. Asked to bat first, CSK posted a total of 176/6 in 20 overs with Ravindra Jadeja scoring an unbeaten 57. Apart from him, the legendary MS Dhoni also scored a quickfire 28* in just 9 balls. However, the score was not enough for CSK as LSG openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock scored 82 and 54 points respectively to help the team chase the target in the 19th over.

LSG skipper Rahul, who has often been in the spotlight for his below-par strike rate, smashed an impressive 82 off 53 balls, including 9 boundaries and 3 sixes.

Rahul is fighting for a place in the Indian team for the upcoming World Cup and he still has a lot to prove. Former India star Robin Uthappa says the chances of him making the team are “50-50”.

“To me, two things, I would say, it’s still 50-50. One is his health; and two is the way he hit the ball a few weeks ago. The last 3-4 games, he’s hit the ball. The way he plays with the ball is phenomenal. When he is singing, when he is batting, his batting looks really good and he is one of those people who makes batting an enjoyable experience,” Uthappa said on Jio Cinema said.

“Unconventional shots, uppercuts or back-foot hits for extra cover sixes… I look at those and I’m like, ‘How is this guy doing?’ The technical effort that he has… he With so much time, the problem is that guy with so much ability is coming into the shell and saying I need to hit the ball tonight… He doesn’t need to do that just support your skills,” he added.

Regarding his batting, Rahul said the presence of his opening partner de Kock made LSG’s innings easier.

“I have been trying to assess the situation. It worked today. I knew the CSK spinners would apply pressure. I picked my bowlers and it worked. Quinton also batted well. Made life easy for both sides . Different ball game in Chennai, we are a young team and it is great to play in front of such a crowd,” Rahul said in his post-match speech.