Did Rishabh Pant's Delaying Tactics Outsmart Rajasthan Royals? Mohammad Kaif Explains

Lucknow Super Giants had managed to claw their way back into the contest after a tight 18th over bowled by Avesh Khan. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has said that the small delay before Avesh Khan began bowling the final over against the Rajasthan Royals broke the batters’ momentum and led them to let go of an easy chase, pointing out Rishabh Pant’s delaying tactics, which yet again worked in his team’s favour. Lucknow bagged a narrow two-run victory, thanks to Avesh ‘s heroics in the last over in Jaipur on Saturday, April 19.

Kaif said that Pant’s delaying tactics against Rajasthan were similar to his exploits against South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. “The final over began at 11:07 PM IST and it went on for 10 minutes, where there were some intentional delaying tactics. Rishabh Pant took his time, the ball got changed, Avesh Khan was stopped in his run-up once, they intentionally kept the batters waiting at the crease," Kaif said while speaking in a video posted on his X handle.



“Also, this is not the first time this has happened. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, when 30 runs were needed off 30 balls and when Klaasen and Miller were on strike, it was Rishabh Pant only who lay down on the floor to summon the physios," Kaif said. Pant had admitted after Team India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win that he had faked his injury to dent South Africa’s momentum during the run chase.

Pant had collapsed on the ground ahead of the 13th over during Lucknow’s narrow four-run victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders earlier this month. Pacer Avesh Khan held his nerve in the death overs to help Lucknow pull off a thrilling two-run victory over Rajasthan. The Royals were cruising at 156/2 at the end of the 17th over, needing 25 runs from three overs with eight wickets in hand.

But Avesh conceded five runs in the 18th over and took two wickets, Riyan Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal, before defending nine runs off the final over to finish with a match-winning 3/37. LSG play their next game against the Delhi Capitals on April 22 at home..