IPL 2022 | Eliminator | LSG vs RCB | Superstar and Underperformer of the Match

The Eliminator of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 took place at the Eden Gardens between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The stakes were high, as a defeat would have meant elimination from the tournament. Hence, we remained witness to some outstanding performances.

Before we further analyse the Superstar and Underperformer of the match, Rajat Patidar's antics in the match deserve special mention. Being an uncapped player and scoring a century on such a big stage is a remarkable effort. Patidar set the match for RCB scoring 112 runs off 54 balls. He hit 12 fours and seven sixes in the innings and was responsible for taking RCB to a mammoth total of 207 runs in their 20 overs.

While Patidar set up the match for RCB, the bowlers won it for them. So, the 'Superstar of the Match' was Harshal Patel. His figures read-

Overs: 4 Runs: 25 Economy Rate: 6.25 Wickets: 1

Although Josh Hazlewood picked up three wickets for 43 runs in his four overs, Patel's overs created pressure on the opposition batters.

Match Situation: Harshal bowled the most important over of the match. It was the 18th over of the LSG innings. At this stage, the equation for KL Rahul's side was 41 runs off three overs. Patel made the biggest blunder of bowling a wide in the first ball that went onto the ropes for four byes. But he recovered soon and just gave away eight runs in the over. He also picked up the vital wicket of Marcus Stoinis in the over.

Patel's economical over meant KL Rahul and Krunal Pandya had to take on Hazlewood; they failed to live up to the challenge and perished under pressure. However, it shifted the balance of the match entirely in RCB's favour. This fantastic performance makes Harshal the MVP for RCB in the match and also our 'Superstar of the Match.'

Underperformer of the Match: LSG was chasing a massive total of 208 runs in the over. They were required to score 10.4 runs per over to achieve the target. Thus, they needed a solid yet dynamic start from their openers.

KL Rahul gave them a solid start and was the main architect in taking the chase forward for his team. Let us take a look at the progress of his innings.

KL Rahul Strike Rate vs RCB

It is justified in the way KL Rahul started his innings. He scored slowly at the start, and then in the successive ten balls, he picked up his scoring rate. But after that, he slowed down, which put the pressure on the batters at the other end.

He kept it too late to pick up the scoring rate. His overall strike rate for the innings was 136.21. The demand of the hour was batting with a minimum strike rate of 150+. Hence for the day, he was a touch too slow, which led to the undue pressure on the batting order under which they succumbed. So, despite scoring 70+runs in the match, not being able to shift gears at the right time makes KL Rahul the 'Underperformer of the Match.'