Explained: Why Nicholas Pooran Is Captaining Lucknow Super Giants, Despite KL Rahul Being In The XI | IPL 2024 | Cricket News Today

In a surprising turn of events, Nicholas Pooran captained Lucknow Super Giants in place of their regular captain KL Rahul for their IPL 2024 match against Punjab Kings. Rahul, recovering from a quadriceps tendon injury, was designated as an Impact Player, allowing him to participate in the match after the toss. This move raises questions about Rahul's fitness and his potential availability for the entire tournament.

KL Rahul Returns from Injury, Assumes Impact Player Role for Lucknow Super Giants

In a surprising twist of events, Nicholas Pooran, the stand-in captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), led the team out for the toss against Punjab Kings on March 30, sparking confusion among fans and commentators alike. The absence of regular skipper KL Rahul from the pre-match coin toss raised questions about his availability.

Pooran's revelation that Rahul had been designated as an Impact Player for the match left many bewildered, as he was still listed in the starting XI. "KL is coming back from injury, and we're looking to give him a break in such a long tournament," Pooran explained. "But he'll play as an Impact Player today."

The Impact Player rule, introduced in the IPL this season, allows teams to substitute one player from their starting XI with a designated Impact Player at any point during the innings. This provides teams with greater flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing match conditions.

For LSG, Rahul's Impact Player status means he will likely be subbed out in the second innings after opening the batting with Quinton de Kock. With De Kock named as the designated wicketkeeper, the team's five Impact options include Deepak Hooda, Amit Mishra, Krishnappa Gowtham, Naveen Ul Haq, and Ashton Turner.

Pooran's assumption of leadership responsibilities makes sense given Rahul's absence from the field. Additionally, had LSG been asked to field first, Rahul would have had to name a team without himself in it if he had been captain.

It is noteworthy that Rahul kept wicket in the previous match against Rajasthan Royals and batted for 44 deliveries, scoring 58 runs in their unsuccessful chase of 194. On Saturday, however, he was dismissed in the third over for 15 runs by Arshdeep Singh.

Rahul's injury concerns stem from a right quadriceps tendon issue that he aggravated after the first Test against England in January. He was ruled out of the second Test but was initially named in the squad for the final three Tests subject to fitness. However, he eventually did not feature in those matches.

After being sent to the National Cricket Academy for rehab, Rahul traveled to London to consult with a specialist. Last year, during the IPL, he suffered a torn tendon in his thigh while fielding, which ruled him out of action for six months.

With the T20 World Cup scheduled for June, Rahul's role change could be a precautionary measure to ensure his longevity throughout the two-month-long IPL and subsequent international commitments. By managing his workload, LSG hopes to minimize the risk of further injuries and maximize his impact on the team's performance.