The new entrants, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be locking horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the eliminator of the playoffs of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Ahead of the game, there is plenty of focus on LSG captain KL Rahul, who has been in fine form this season as he has amassed scored 537 runs, including a couple of centuries and three half-centuries. He is averaging 48.82 and will once again look to anchor the innings in the crucial encounter.

While KL Rahul has been phenomenal with the bat, his tons and fifties come during the first innings. Analyzing how Rahul can perform with same consistency in the second innings, former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif said the right-hander “should try to bat while chasing in the same way when you bat first”.

During a recent chat on Star Sports, Mohammad Kaif said, “According to me, KL Rahul wants to play captaincy innings and he takes a lot of pressure on himself. (Quinton) de Kock is playing with you (Rahul) and his job is to be aggressive, but yours is to play till the last overs.”

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He further added, “He looks under pressure while chasing, and also got dismissed many times, but he’s a class batsman. He has form, runs, temperament, and knows how to play till the end. He hits shots in every direction. He takes time in the beginning but knows how to finish a game.”

KL Rahul (68* off 51) and Quinton de Kock (140* off 70) formed an unbeaten match-winning opening partnership record of 210 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders in their final league match. In spite of winning the game, LSG managed to finish at the third place in the IPL points table after Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Chennai Super Kings (LSG), thus being pushed to the Eliminator.

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Talking about it further, Mohammad Kaif said, “LSG reached this stage after a rollercoaster ride. They are playing in the IPL for the first time. KL has brought the team to the playoffs and he has been great with his captaincy and batting. The real test of his form will be today, because you don’t want to do any mistakes in today’s match. He should not take much pressure and allow De Kock to hit shots for himself. He should use the, ‘Watch the ball and hit the ball’ strategy.”