IPL 2024: KL Rahul Calls Ekana ‘Mini Chennai,’ After Seeing Massive Support for CSK in LSG’s Home Ground
Watch KL Rahul removing his cap before shaking hands with MS Dhoni.
Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) captain, KL Rahul, called the Ekana Stadium, LSG’s home ground, as ‘mini Chennai’ after defeating CSK by eight wickets in the 32nd match of IPL 2024.
Rahul said this after seeing the overwhelming support CSK received at Lucknow’s home ground. While the stadium is typically awash in blue jerseys during LSG’s games, it was a sea of yellow during the recent match against CSK.
Here’s what KL Rahul said in the post-match presentation:
“Was playing in front of mini Chennai crowd. We are a young team and happy to play in front of such a crowd.”
Rahul also mentioned how the loud crowd at Ekana, cheering for CSK put pressure on their young bowlers, especially in the closing overs of the first innings when former CSK captain, MS Dhoni, stepped up to bat.
“MSD walked in and the pressure got to the bowlers. He has had the intimidation of opposition bowlers. Our young bowlers were put under pressure with the crowd going berserk as well,” he added.
Dhoni’s unbeaten 28 runs from just nine balls helped CSK post 177 on the board. However, Rahul’s batting masterclass propelled LSG to easily chase down the target in just 19 overs.
LSG will now travel to Chennai to face CSK once again, this time at their home ground. Rahul has already stated that they are not expecting any support from the crowd and are preparing for an even louder atmosphere.
“I don’t think the crowd in Chennai will roar for us. I told the boys in huddle to get used to the crowd cheering for CSK because we would get it again in a few days,” Rahul concluded.
