April 20, 2025: Following Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) nail-biting victory against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday, LSG seamer Shardul Thakur shared his thoughts on the pressure of the game and his key contribution in the thrilling contest.
In a match that went down to the wire, LSG managed to defend a modest target of 181, with Avesh Khan emerging as the hero, taking three wickets in the final over to secure a 2-run victory. Speaking in the post-match presentation, Thakur reflected on his emotions during the tense moments, especially the crucial catch he took in the match.
“Never easy, pressure time, you know, high stakes on the line. I tried to run him out, unfortunately, I didn’t, and then the next ball I took the catch. No idea (on the catch), I probably was standing at the right angle, that’s something very important, and I managed to take it,” Thakur said, clearly relieved after the match.
The game saw Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Riyan Parag play impactful knocks, with the trio trying to chase down LSG’s total in the final overs. Thakur also acknowledged Avesh Khan’s excellent bowling, who took the responsibility in the death overs, and Prince Yadav, whose outstanding performance in the 19th over played a crucial role in stalling Rajasthan’s chase.
Thakur gave special praise to his teammate Avesh, stating, “We knew Avesh’s capability (with the ball), credit to Prince as well for that 19th over. He can surprise the batter easily (with his pace), that’s what we saw today and in that first game in Vizag as well.”
The LSG pacer also expressed his gratitude for being part of the team, crediting the team’s management and coaching staff for creating a positive and supportive environment that focuses on the process rather than results. This philosophy has helped the team win several close matches this season.
“Very happy (on being part of the team), the coaches and the management have stressed following the process and not worrying about the results. I think around 4 games have gone to the wire, and we’ve won 3 of those. Credit goes to the management for making sure that we are taken good care of, both on and off the field. Their encouragement has helped us get through difficult moments,” Thakur added.
In a thrilling finish, Avesh Khan sealed the match with his exceptional bowling in the final over, defending nine runs with precision. His efforts earned him the Player of the Match award, as Rajasthan Royals were restricted to 178 runs, falling short by just 2 runs.
In the points table, Rajasthan Royals are struggling at eighth spot with only two wins in eight matches, while Lucknow Super Giants are placed fourth with five wins from eight matches, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
This match highlighted the resilience of LSG, with several key players stepping up when the pressure was at its peak, ensuring they walked away with a well-deserved victory.