Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer has revealed how young left-arm spinner M Siddharth fulfilled his promise of getting Virat Kohli out. Siddharth made only his second appearance for LSG on Tuesday, dismissing Royal Challengers Bengalur (RCB) star batsman Kohli for his maiden IPL wicket. After bowling him a few quick ones, Siddharth ensured Kohli’s demise with a slower one. Kohli tried to tap the ball but got an edge, which went straight to the fielder at the point.
After the match, Langer revealed his first conversation with Siddharth, who promised to take Kohli out.
“I had never spoken to him before… I saw an armball bowling. The first thing out of my mouth after meeting M. Siddharth was, ‘Hey Sid! Do you think you can get Virat for us?’ He says, ‘Yes sir!’ And what did he do? He takes him out,” Langer said in a video uploaded by LSG.
The unprecedented story of Langer’s interaction with Siddharth was greeted with loud cheers in the LSG camp.
Young dreams, manifested and realized pic.twitter.com/SNitXN7CTc
— Lucknow Supergiants (@LucknowIPL) April 2, 2024
There have been 10 bowlers who have gotten Virat as their first IPL wicket, including Ashok Dinda, Ashish Nehra, Albie Morkel, Chetanya Nanda, Doug Bracewell, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan, Harpreet Brar, Dewald Brevis and now Siddarth.
In the match, RCB opted to play first after winning the toss. Openers Quinton de Kock and skipper KL Rahul (20 in 14 balls, with two sixes) gave LSG a measured start with an opening stand of 53 points. There was a 56-run stand between Kock and Marcus Stoinis (24 in 15 balls, with a four and two sixes), which helped LSG cross the 100-run mark. RCB bowlers did put pressure on the batsman towards the end, but Nicholas Pooran (40* in 21 balls, with a four and five sixes) rounded it off well for LSG, taking them to 181/5 in their 20 overs.
Glenn Maxwell (2/23) was the bowlers’ choice for RCB. Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal and Reece Topley took a wicket each for RCB.
In the run chase, openers Virat Kohli (22 in 16 balls, with two fours and a six) and Faf Du Plessis (19 in 13 balls, with three fours) started with an opening stand of 40 runs. But a game-changing spell from Mayank Yadav (3/14) put RCB behind, reducing them to 94/5. Mahipal Lomror (33 in 13 balls, with three fours and three sixes) and Rajat Patidar (29 in 21 balls, with two fours and two sixes) tried to resist, but RCB could only score 153 in 19.4 overs.
Besides Mayank, Naveen-ul-Haq (2/25) was the bowlers’ choice for LSG. Siddarth, Yash Thakur and Stoinis got a wicket each.
Mayank was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his spell. RCB are in ninth place with one win and two losses, which gives them three points. LSG are in fourth place with two wins and a defeat, giving them four points.
(With ANI inputs)
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