![\"IPL](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130542163,imgsize-64490,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/pant-pooran-2704-ipl.jpg\" "\\"Rishabh")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: The IPL 2026 clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders turned out to be a gripping thriller. Rinku Singh steered Kolkata Knight Riders to a comfortable win over Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday in the first Super Over of IPL 2026. LSG managed just one run in the Super Over, leaving KKR with a target of two. In response, Singh smashed a four off the very first ball to seal the game for KKR.LSG, who batted first in the Super Over, faced heavy criticism for sending Nicholas Pooran<\/a> in to bat against KKR in that crucial moment.Pooran, already struggling with the bat this season, was dismissed on the very first ball of the Super Over by Sunil Narine.Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn did not hold back and criticised LSG for the decision to send Pooran in, which backfired badly for the Rishabh Pant-led side.Steyn termed the move \u2018criminal\u2019.\u201cThree Super Overs for Nicholas Pooran in the IPL, three ducks. So, yes, absolutely. Would you send someone else? Of course. You\u2019ve got players like Mitch Marsh, Rishabh Pant<\/a>, and Mukul Choudhary. Given Pooran\u2019s recent form, there were other options,” Steyn told broadcaster JioHotstar. <\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Bombay Sport Exchange: Munaf Patel on Gautam Gambhir, Virat vs Bumrah & Indian bowling.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “He hasn\u2019t scored more than 30 or 40 runs this season, I don\u2019t know the exact numbers, but to send him in first ball in a Super Over to get you runs is almost a criminal decision,\u201d he added.\u201cIt could have gone either way, but at this stage of the season, when you\u2019re desperate to win, you don\u2019t send in a batter who hasn\u2019t delivered all season. You go with players who\u2019ve been striking the ball well, guys you trust to clear the ropes, or at least back to do the job. I don\u2019t even think Nicholas Pooran believes he can do it right now; he\u2019s in such a bad run of form,\u201d Steyn said.\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate because he\u2019s such a wonderful player. But when you\u2019re trying to revive your season, you can\u2019t afford blunders like that, not at this level,\u201d he added.Soon after Pooran\u2019s dismissal, Steyn also took to social media and wrote: \u201cCouldn\u2019t hit water if he fell out a boat. Tough times.”With the defeat against KKR on Sunday, LSG slipped to the bottom of the points table with just four points from eight matches.<\/div>\n\n