Lucknow Super Giants eventually finished seventh in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) with the same number of wins as losses and the same points that helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) qualify for the playoffs.
In fact, this is the first time in their three-year existence as an IPL franchise that they failed to qualify for the playoffs. This is also the season that Gautam Gambhir parted ways to join up with his former side, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The ever-honest Justin Langer came on board as LSG’s new head coach.
Sanjiv Goenka Did Not Shy Away From Sacking MS Dhoni. Will KL Rahul Meet the Same Fate?
IPL 2024 – Played: 14; Won: 7; Lost: 7; Standing: 7th After League Stage
High point of the Tournament
At the start of the tournament, LSG won back-to-back three games after losing their opening game. Quinton de Kock smashed a 38-ball 54 as Mayank Yadav announced his arrival. QDK looked good in the win over RCB too, making 81 off 56 deliveries as Mayank yet again picked up three wickets. Yash Thakur’s five-wicket haul helped LSG beat GT at home as they looked like the team to beat.
Low point of the Tournament
Their season capitulated as the race for the playoffs heated up. They lost three games on the bounce as KKR once again thrashed them with a batting collapse that cost them the chase. A top-order failure meant LSG did not have enough runs on the board as the marauding duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma blew them away. LSG batting came undone again as they failed to get over the line despite the efforts of Nicholas Pooran and Arshad Khan at the rear end.
Sanjiv Goenka, KL Rahul Share a Warm Hug One Week After the Ugly ‘Public Outburst’ Viral Video | PICS
Captaincy verdict
Amidst constant pressure, KLRahul can hold his head high despite not qualifying for the playoffs. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen speaking animatedly to KL Rahul and Justin Langer. As Goenka was animated in his chat with Rahul and looked in an irate mood, the LSG skipper stood helpless. Photos emerged of a truce later after reports that the two parties seemed destined for a break.
Most valuable player
LSG skipper KL Rahul had another great season with the bat, smashing 520 runs from the 14 games, with an average of 37.14 and a strike rate of 136.12. He led the teams from the front but without consistent support of his teammates, failed to get through to the IPL 2024 playoffs.
Major disappointment
Mayank Yadav’s mismanaged injuries will haunt LSG. The 21-year-old pacer, who bowled a fastest delivery of 155.8kmph thunderbolt, ended up bowling just 73 balls or 12.1 overs. He was injured after playing just three games and on returning hobbled off on the first ball his fourth over.
Tournament Verdict
A season of what-ifs left LSG ruing their luck as they had the worst net run rate left among the four teams on the same points at the end of the league stage. A few results could have gone their favour and they would have been in the playoffs for a third season.
Statistics
Most runs: David Warner – 520 runs in 14 matches
Most wickets: Naveen-ul-Haq – 14 wickets in 10 matches
Highest individual score: Marcus Stoinis – 124* runs vs Chennai Super Kings
Best Bowling Figures: Yash Thakur 5/30 vs Gujarat Titans
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