IPL 2022 | PBKS vs LSG | How to negate the Rahul effect?

The 42nd match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 will see Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Supergiants (LSG) take the field against each other. PBKS is having a rocky ride in the tournament. However, they have won four of their eight matches and are placed at the seventh spot in the points table.

PBKS registered an 11-run win over CSK in their last match and will be looking to carry forward their winning momentum to seal a berth in the playoffs. The next assignment of the team is against LSG. The biggest obstacle in the match for Mayank and company will be KL Rahul.

Rahul is in some form, having scored 368 runs in the tournament with two centuries and one half-century. The LSG skipper played the role of an anchor in their previous fixture. 

So, for PBKS to do well in this match, they need to get rid of the opposition skipper as soon as possible. Hence, let us look at a few things that PBKS can try against the star Indian batter.

IPL 2022: In the 15th edition of IPL. Rahul has played 81 deliveries in the powerplays scoring 92 runs at a strike rate of 113.58. He has been dismissed twice in this phase of play and, in general, looks to progress steadily.

Let us look at how he reacts to different types of bowling at the initial stage of his innings.

The table shows that he has found left-arm pacers ideal to score runs against. While off-spinners have kept him relatively quiet in the power plays, he has only faced three balls from leg spinners.

This prompted us to look at his overall records in the initial stages of his innings.

KL Rahul’s strike rate vs different types of bowling in power plays in T20s

Observation: KL Rahul finds it challenging to get going against leg-spin at the beginning of his innings. The oppositions in IPL 2022 have not made enough use of the leg-spin against KL Rahul. Besides, there is also a visible weakness of the ball nipping back in.

PBKS’ plan against KL Rahul: The three main options that PBKS can use against Rahul at the start are Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh and Rahul Chahar.

Kagiso Rabada: Rabada has not been in his best form in IPL 2022. But one can never doubt his abilities. If he gets a bit of assistance from the pitch and finds his rhythm, he can trouble Rahul. We have already seen Shami dismissing the LSG skipper with a slightly outgoing delivery in the GT vs LSG match, which Rabada must keep in mind.

Arshdeep Singh: KL Rahul has often struggled against left-arm pacers at the initial stages of the innings. So, the young Indian pacer might be an excellent option against the star Indian batter.

Rahul Chahar: Chahar has been in fine form in the tournament picking up ten wickets in eight matches. His strike rate with the ball is 17.7, and he averages 22.4. Chahar is in a pleasing rhythm, and using him for at least an over at the start of the innings against KL Rahul seems like a great option.