[Watch] Unmukt Chand gives a brisk start to LAKR in powerplay with 4,6,4 during MLC 2024 clash vs TSK
Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) batter Unmukt Chand lit up Major League Cricket 2024 with his fireworks in the powerplay during the match against Texas Super Kings (TSK) on Friday (July 5) at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. LAKR batted first after losing the toss.
TSK pacer Zia-ul-Haq dismissed both the Knight Riders' openers and reduced them to 5/2 in 2.5 overs. Unmukt Chand then produced a brilliant counter punch by smashing 4,6,4 in consecutive deliveries of the fourth over bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq to inject momentum into LAKR innings after a poor start.
You can watch Unmukt Chand's fireworks in the video below:
Unmukt Chand's 68 helped LAKR put on a defendable total in the first innings vs TSK in MLC 2024
Unmukt tapered his aggression after the powerplay and played the anchor role to guide his team to a respectable score. He stitched useful partnerships with middle-order batters and stayed at the crease till the last over.
Chand departed after playing a sensible knock of 68 (45), which comprised three sixes and six fours. On the back of his contribution, LAKR reached 162/7 in 20 overs.
In response, TSK opener Devon Conway (53) hit a steady half-century and laid a decent platform for his side in the chase. However, the rest of the batting unit failed to utilize and could only get to 150/8 in 20 overs. Ali Khan stole the show for LAKR with a four-wicket haul, which earned him the Player of the Match award.
LAKR captain Sunil Narine reflected on the victory at the post-match presentation, saying:
"I think we played a good game. Struggled with the bat earlier but Unmukt played an excellent innings. His innings gave us a total to defend. You still have to back your skills. If you think too much of the pitch, you could play false shots. The main thing was wickets - if you pick up early wickets you get into the game. We didn't get too many early wickets but we didn't let them get off to a flyer."
Narine continued:
"Yes there's going to be a lot of stats and matchups but it's about what you think is the matchup on the day. (Did he plan to hold himself back for Stoinis?) I had one left and I asked a few boys who should come, me or Russ and they told me to go for the wicket. Sometimes it works. We were under pressure and we came out of it. Coming out of pressure and winning tight games will be good for us."