The 53rd match of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League got underway a few minutes ago at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, where the Lucknow Super Giants are playing against the two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders. It is the first-ever meeting between these two franchises in the league’s history. LSG have gotten off to a disastrous start as captain KL Rahul lost his wicket for a duck.
Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and unsurprisingly decided to bowl first. Unfortunately, Umesh Yadav was unavailable for this match because of an injury, and Harshit Rana replaced him in the playing XI. Here’s what KKR captain Shreyas Iyer said at the toss:
“We will bowl first considering the wicket is looking really dry and the dew is not going to play a missive role. In the previous game, we chased pretty well. We have one change – Umesh pulled a calf muscle so Harshit Rana comes in for him. It is important as a captain to have a great combination right from the first game.”
Tim Southee opened the bowling for the Kolkata-based franchise. He started the innings with three dot balls. Quinton de Kock took two runs on the fourth ball, while on the fifth ball, there was a confusion between captain Rahul and de Kock.
A direct hit from captain Iyer led to Rahul’s dismissal on 0(0). He became the second captain after Gautam Gambhir to lose his wicket for a diamond duck in the first over of the inning.
Twitterati react as KL Rahul lost his wicket in an unlucky fashion against Kolkata Knight Riders
This was the third time this season that KL Rahul got out for a duck in an innings. Earlier, he registered a golden duck each against the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals. Here’s how Twitter reacted to his diamond duck:
A moment of silence for those who made KL Rahul their captain in the fantasy team tonight 😭#IPL2022
— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) May 7, 2022
KL Rahul has registered his 3rd duck this season, two golden and tonight a diamond duck.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 7, 2022
KL Rahul is run-out without facing a ball – what a throw by Shreyas Iyer.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 7, 2022
A direct hit from Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul is Run Out.
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2022
Live – https://t.co/xxTbopT08k #LSGvKKR #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/cEmMt2rJaZ
THIRD duck of the season for KL Rahul!
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 7, 2022
He has been run out without facing a single ball, courtesy a direct hit from Shreyas Iyer 🎯 #IPL2022 #LSGvKKR
Brilliant throw from Shreyas Iyer🎯
— Cricket Winner (@cricketwinner_) May 7, 2022
KL Rahul is out for a Diamond Duck!#KLRahul #ShreyasIyer #KKRvsLSG #KKRvsLSG #IPL #IPL2022 #Cricket #CricketWinner pic.twitter.com/qjaI68LZiB
Most of people after KL Rahul run out #IPL2022 #Dream11pic.twitter.com/ILUOcGMGPr
— Ravibhai (@highon_beer) May 7, 2022
KL Rahul has registered two golden ducks and one diamond duck in IPL 2022.
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) May 7, 2022
(📸: IPL/BCCI)#CricTracker #KLRahul #LSGvsKKR #IPL2022 #T20Cricket #IPL pic.twitter.com/AYHQeudZQg
