Nicholas Pooran, KL Rahul take Lucknow Super Giants to 214/6 against Mumbai Indians in IPL clash
Mumbai, May 17: Nicholas Pooran’s whirlwind 75 covered for skipper KL Rahul’s sedate 55, providing a much-needed impetus to Lucknow Super Giants' impressive total of 214 for 6 against Mumbai Indians in an IPL encounter here on Friday.
Struggling for momentum on what appeared to be a two-paced wicket at the start, LSG could only manage 69 for 3 at the halfway stage but Pooran’s stunning knock made up for another shoddy Powerplay effort by Rahul, who is unable to change his game in the Powerplay.
On their part, Mumbai Indians’ bowling woes persisted with skipper Hardik Pandya using as many as eight different bowling options but none, barring seasoned Piyush Chawla (3/29) and novice Naman Dhir (2/13) could impose themselves.
With Trinidad & Tobago PM Dr Keith Rowley in attendance here at the Wankhede Stadium, Pooran took it upon himself to entertain his country's premier by smashing the MI bowlers to all parts of the ground.
His lofted hits to clear the covers as well as powerful pulls on the leg side were equally compelling until Pooran found Suryakumar Yadav grabbing the ball out of thin air at long on in the 17th over.
By then, the free-flowing West Indian had already notched up his highest score of the season, hammering eight sixes and five fours for 75 off a mere 29 balls.
Pooran’s dismissal followed Rahul’s exit after their 44-ball stand for 109 runs for the fourth wicket, which gave LSG the platform to push for a total exceeding 200.
Pooran’s onslaught also debunked the slowness of the pitch — if there was any as made evident by LSG’s top order — and Rahul’s solidity in tough phases ensured that the visitors did not stumble at any stage in their innings.
The LSG skipper did well to not rush into imposing himself on the game despite his side not able to find their feet for a large part of their innings.
Rahul forged two crucial partnerships, including 48 runs for second wicket with Marcus Stoinis, and put on 55 off 41 balls with three fours and as many sixes.
Ayush Badoni also chipped in with a 10-ball 22, collecting 19 runs off Romario Shepherd in the last over.
LSG were off to a rocky start with Devdutt Padikkal dismissed for a first-ball duck. Nuwan Thushara (3/28) swung the ball back into the left-hander who was pinned in front of the wickets and burned a review.
But there was no such mistake committed by Stoinis, trapped leg-before at the end of the powerplay by Chawla after the Australian stroked his way to 28 off 22 balls with five fours.
Stoinis also used the DRS to perfection when the on-field umpire obliged a passionate appeal for leg-before by Arjun Tendulkar, with the replays confirming that the ball would have passed over the stumps. Tendulkar however was clobbered mercilessly by Pooran and after being hit for back-to-back sixes, the young left-arm seamer was forced to leave the field as he suddenly started suffering from cramps.
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Pakistan comments on Kogilu slum demolition; India rejects remarks
Bengaluru: Pakistan has reacted to the demolition of slum homes at Kogilu in north Bengaluru, prompting a strong response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which rejected the comments and questioned Pakistan’s own record on minority rights.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office reportedly issued a statement alleging that Muslim homes were being demolished in Bengaluru with state backing and also referred to alleged attacks on Christians, calling the developments a matter of “serious concern”, The New Indian Express reported on Wednesday.
In a strong reply, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reportedly said, “We reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself. Pakistan’s horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well-established fact. No amount of finger-pointing will obfuscate it.”
Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar said senior national leaders would respond to Pakistan’s comments. On questions about the evicted residents possessing identity cards from multiple states, he said officials would verify the details.
Asked if all evictees will be accommodated, Shivakumar said, “We will rehabilitate only genuine and eligible evictees. We will provide housing only to eligible locals.”
The controversy arose after Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) demolished around 160 houses at Fakeer Colony and Wasim Layout in Yelahanka, reclaiming about five acres of land valued at ₹80 crore. BSWML plans to set up a biogas plant and animal rendering unit in the space.
According to the report, the demolition soon turned into a political issue, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accusing the Karnataka government of bringing “bulldozer raj” to Bengaluru and alleging suppression of minorities and Dalits. CPIM from Kerala too started visiting the demolition site.
In a sort of damage-control exercise, All-India Congress Committee General Secretary KC Venugopal, who is said to be a chief ministerial candidate if the United Democratic Front wins in Kerala, asked the Karnataka government to mitigate the problem, ahead of Kerala going to the polls in April-May of next year.
Following the developments, the Karnataka government has decided to provide accommodation to eligible evictees under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation scheme and temporary shelter at Byappanahalli, officials said.
