Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets at the Ekana Sports Stadium on Friday in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League. Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul led from the front as he played a match winning innings of 82 runs and was ably supported by his partner Quinton De Kock, who added 54 runs before Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran put the finishing touches on the game with their unbeaten 23 and 8 runs as LSG chased down the target of 177 with 1 over to spare.

Ravindra Jadeja hit a steady half century (57*) and a late cameo from MS Dhoni (28* off 9) took Chennai Super Kings to 176/6 in 20 overs against Lucknow Super Giants on Friday. Earlier Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul decided to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings.

CSK who came into the match with 2 victories slumped to their third loss in this season of IPL. KL Rahul who had not converted his starts into big innings during the tournament finally lived up to the expectations as he smashed nine 4s and three 6s in 53 balls. Quinton De Kock overcame a scratchy start to hit 5 fours and a six in his 43-ball innings.

The LSG captain looked in fine touch as he played some magnificent strokes all round the park to give his team a solid start. The captain was harsh on Deepak Chahar as he hit the pace bowler for a 6, before slapping him for another maximum over cover. He also hit the pacer for a four off a slower ball. Rahul also produced a punch off the backfoot for a 4 off pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman as runs came easily. De Kock too smashed Tushar Deshpande for a 6 over deep midwicket as the powerplay yielded 54 runs without the loss of any wicket.

Suniel Shetty’s son-in-law and Indian cricketer KL Rahul celebrates his 32^nd birthday on Thursday. On this special occasion the Bollywood actor took to his Instagram handle to wish the Lucknow Super Giants skipper on his special day. Suniel Shetty shared a picture with KL Rahul and his son Ahaan on Instagram.

In the picture, the veteran actor is seen relaxing on the couch with his son Ahaan and KL Rahul. Suniel Shetty captioned the picture they say its not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters. He said he felt blessed to have KL Rahul in his life. He said this is a connection which he could not explain.

Suniel Shetty’s daughter Athiya Shetty reacted to the post and wrote favourite men. KL Rahul replied with a black heart emoji to the post. Many Indian cricketers, social media user and fans also wished KL Rahul on his birthday.

One X user Muffadlal Vohra wrote that whichever position the Indian team asked KL Rahul to bat, he was always there to answer the call whether it is opening the batting, or batting in the middle order or the role of a finisher he was ready to do it. He said KL Rahul is truly one of the most versatile batsmen of this era and wished him Happy Birthday.

Another X user Naeem shared a video of KL Rahul and wished him Happy Birthday.

Cricketer Kuldeep Yadav shared a picture with KL Rahul and wrote Happy Birthday KL Rahul bhai.

One X user Tanuj singh shared a video of the star cricketer and recounted his hundreds in different countries.

Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal shared a picture with KL Rahul and wrote Happy Birthday my brother KL Rahul. Hope you have a good one. One X user Leisha wished the star cricketer Happy birthday.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were found guilty of violating an IPL Code of Conduct while playing the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Tuesday, following their defeat in their second match at the Eden Gardens. The Knight Riders not only dropped their opening game of the IPL 2024 season, but their captain also received a fine.

KKR captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during an IPL match at Eden Gardens against the Rajasthan Royals.

According to the official notification, Iyer has been charged with a huge fine of Rs 12 lakhs as it was his team’ first of the season offense under IPL’s Code of Conduct and involved a minimum over-rate penalty.

In a release from the IPL, it is said, Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on April 17.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time in this season when a team has maintained a slow over-rate. Earlier, Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Rant was also fined twice for maintaining a slow over-rate. If his team commits this again, the he along with his will be banned for one match, as per IPL’s Code of Conduct.

In a T20I loss to the Royals on Tuesday, Sunil Narine scored his first century for the Knight Riders. Up till the 18th over, Narine (109 off 56) batted, first partnership with Angkrish Raghuvanshi (30) for 85 runs and then with Andre Russell (13), for 51 runs. For KKR, it was a one-man show. Jos Buttler blasted his way to an unbeaten 60-ball 107 as the visitors completed the chase on the game’s last ball. In response, RR were briefly in major trouble.

While KKR lost their second match in six games, it was the Royals’ sixth win in seven games.