IPL 2023: KL Rahul fined for maintaining slow over-rate during RR vs LSG clash

Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match against the Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, on Wednesday.

As it was the team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Mr. Rahul was fined Rs 12 lakhs. On Wednesday evening, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 26 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) following an incredible comeback. Sanju Samson invited LSG to bat first in Jaipur, and they responded with a valiant 154 for 7 in their stipulated 20 overs. 

Before being dismissed in the eleventh over of the innings, Rahul scored 39 runs off of 32 balls.  Mayers eventually scored a valiant 51 off of 42 balls. But the middle order fell apart as number three batter Ayush Badoni scored just one while Deepak Hooda returned with just two. Even with their modest contributions, Marcus Stoinis (21) and Nicholas Pooran (29) tried to reestablish the innings, but they could only get their side to 154/7 on the scoreboard. 

With their opening pair of Jos Buttler (44) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (44) combining for 87 runs for the first wicket, RR responded effectively. To put LSG back on track, Marcus Stoinis picked up two wickets and sent the RR openers packing. RR's middle-order batters had a poor outing as none were able to make an impact which resulted in LSG pulling off a thrilling final-over victory.

Though Rajasthan Royals lost the game, they continued to be on top of the IPL 2023 Points Table. On the other hand, the KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants now stand at the second position with eight points from six games, just like the table toppers. Lucknow will now go back to their base, the Ekana Stadium, and will host the defending champions Gujarat Titans in their next contest.