Lucknow Super Giants and their captain KL Rahul had a horror start to their IPL 2022 campaign as the opener was dismissed for a golden duck – only his second in his IPL career; the last one being in 2016.
On the other hand, for the other debuting franchise, Gujarat Titans, it was a dream start provided to them by Mohammed Shami as he dismissed Lucknow’s linchpin on the very first ball of their encounter on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium.
It was an almost unplayable delivery to start off from Shami to Rahul: on full length and swung in little, and straightened on pitching. KL Rahul looked to play the line of ball with it swinging in, tried a defensive push, but had his bat slightly – just slightly open – and nicked it while the bat wasn’t even down yet.
Shami and keeper Matthew Wade and the Titans fielder went up in the appeal but the umpire denied it; it seemed as if the noise came from Rahul hitting his pad with the bat. But, after Hardik Pandya, the Titans skipper, had reviewed the decision, it was clear that the noise came from the ball taking the outside edge of Rahul’s bat. The on-field umpire was asked to change his decision to out, and the Super Kings captain had to walk back to the dugout just minutes after coming out of it earlier.
This – the golden duck – was KL Rahul’s only second duck in his IPL career; incidentally, his previous duck came against the previous franchise from Gujarat – Gujarat Lions – 56 IPL innings ago in 2016.
KL Rahul is coming after an injury layoff and a golden duck wasn’t something he would have liked to have on his return.
The fans on social media trolled the LSG skipper KL Rahul heavily for his unsuccessful return to the cricket field:
People should’ve realised it by now, KL Rahul and Captain, don’t go together.
— Shrutika Gaekwad (@Shrutika_45_) March 28, 2022
Kya zaruat thi yeh bolni ki, ho gaye na out duck par. @klrahul11
pic.twitter.com/uDmnobU5zn
— KL Rehul (@OrangeCapPopa) March 28, 2022
Everyone: KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, and Manish Pandey play pace really well in the powerplay.
Le Shami: pic.twitter.com/AnqcuiFr4Y— 12th Khiladi (@12th_khiladi) March 28, 2022
With Hardik Pandya on one side and KL Rahul on the other, why is Karan Johar not in the commentary box?#LSGvsGT
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) March 28, 2022
Can’t blame KL Rahul as he was already feeling sleepy in that night suit. pic.twitter.com/xpADR3wzkJ
— Hemant (@Sportscasmm) March 28, 2022
The most expensive player of IPL is all set for a Grand Opening ?
Meanwhile KL Rahul : pic.twitter.com/cZ3WZf2SBf
— Varad Ralegaonkar (@varadr_tistic) March 28, 2022
Let’s all laugh at lucknow the btec punjab kings and kl rahul pic.twitter.com/R2T6l74Rrh
— Balraj (@balraj_sagoo) March 28, 2022
Just cought KL Rahul in a near Garden pic.twitter.com/Z8q133SnHr
— PRASH (@Prash023) March 28, 2022
KL Rahul as a captain wanted to create a history ?
Dont Laugh ?Even after 10 years, if someone asks what was the first ball LSG faced ? everyone will know the answer ? #GTvLSG
— Shafin.?? (@Shafin2104) March 28, 2022
I thought KL Rahul would be the highest run scorer ? https://t.co/eo7pMHCcFn
— Karamdeep Singh (@oyeekd) March 28, 2022
