– Watch: Jonty Rhodes help groundsmen to cover the ground as LSG vs CSK clash washed off due to rain

The 45th match of IPL 2023 between Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings at the Ekana Cricket Stadium has been washed out due to rain. CSK skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first. LSG didn’t had a great start as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

The score was reduced to 44 for 5 in 9.4 overs. Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni took charge of the innings by putting up a partnership of 59 runs for the sixth wicket. Pooran got out after scoring 20 runs off 31 balls. While Badoni remained unbeaten on 59 runs off 33 balls hitting two fours and four sixes.

LSG were 125 for 7 in 19.2 overs before the rain decided to play a spoilsport. The ground staff began to pull the covers on the pitch to allow any chances of game being played. LSG fielding coach Jonty Rhodes showed a great gesture by assisting staff in pulling the covers to the ground. Rhodes was also stopped by one of the officials, but still, the South African legend continued to help the staff. The video shared by IPL has been circulating across social media.

https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1653742835265572864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1653742835265572864%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=about%3Asrcdoc

The game didn’t continue after that and both teams were given a point each. CSK jumped to the third position with five wins from 10 matches played so far and 11 points. While LSG remain at the second position with similar points as CSK.

KL Rahul and Jaydev Unadkat have ruled out of IPL 2023

However, before the match, LSG suffered a huge blow as their skipper KL Rahul and the pacer Jaydev Unadkat have been ruled for the remainder of the season due to injuries. Rahul sustained a hamstring injury while fielding in the previous game against Royal Challengers Bangalore. While Unadkat has been still suffering from a shoulder injury.

“KL is currently with the team in Lucknow but he is leaving the camp on Thursday after watching the game against CSK on Wednesday. His scans will be done in Mumbai at the Indian Cricket Board-designated medical facility. His case as well as Jaydev’s case will be handled by the Board,” a source from the Indian Cricket Board said as quoted by Hindustan Times.