At a run-fest at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on 19 April, Punjab Kings (PBKS) registered a spectacular victory by 54 runs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in match 29 indian premier league 2026. However, beyond the scoreboard, it was LSG’s tactical decisions – particularly their batting order – that became the biggest talking point, drawing sharp criticism from the former South Africa captain. Faf du Plessis.
After being invited to bat, PBKS posted a challenging score of 254/7, giving LSG a tough challenge. Despite a good start and contributions from key batsmen, LSG could only manage 200/5 and fell well short of the target.
Faf du Plessis criticizes Aiden Markram’s demotion in the batting order
Speaking during a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Du Plessis expressed strong disapproval over LSG’s decision to step down. aiden markram Promoted to number 5 Ayush Badoni To start the innings.
Du Plessis highlighted that Markram has consistently proven his worth as a top-order batsman, especially in the opening role. He explained that moving a player away from his most effective position can upset the balance of the team.
According to him, Markram’s success in recent seasons – especially with Mitchell Marsh – has made him a vital asset at the top. By pushing them down the order, LSG weakened one of their strongest areas. He further stressed that teams struggling for consistency should rely more on their proven strengths rather than experimenting with key roles.
“You are moving Aiden Markram out of the fifth position. He has shown in the last year and a half what a good opening batsman he is. Even last year, he and [Mitchell] Marsh worked for him. You are taking one of your strengths and applying it to a weak area. When you are not playing your best cricket, you look at what your strengths are and you really work on that. Du Plessis said.
LSG is turning strength into weakness: Du Plessis
Du Plessis made no mistake in his words when analyzing the decision. He said that Markram is not ideally suited for the No. 5 or No. 6 position in T20 cricket, especially in a competitive tournament like the IPL. Instead, he classified the South African batsman among the top three best players in the format.
The former Proteas captain explained that when a team is not playing its best cricket, clarity in roles becomes even more important. In his view, LSG’s reshuffle only increased the pressure and uncertainty, which ultimately affected their performance in an important match.
“Aiden Markram is a good player, but he is not a good No. 5 or No. 6 in the IPL. In terms of the best top three batsmen, he is up there.” Du Plessis added.
PBKS dominate with the bat to register emphatic win
Opening the innings, Badoni played a quickfire inning of 35 runs in 21 balls, while Marsh added 40 runs in 28 balls. captain Rishabh Pant Contributed 43 runs in 29 balls at number three and tried to chase the target. Markram, despite batting less than usual, played an aggressive inning of 42 runs in 22 balls and kept LSG in contention for a short time. However, the middle order failed to maintain that momentum.
A major concern for LSG was its ongoing decline in form. nicholas puranWho could score only nine runs on nine balls. His inability to accelerate in the middle overs further weakened the team’s chances.
Earlier in the match, PBKS batsmen performed brilliantly and scored 254 runs and put immense pressure on the opposition team. His aggressive approach ensured that LSG always remained behind at the required rate during the chase. In the end, while the LSG showed glimpses of resistance, the gap proved too large to bridge. The defeat not only affected their position in the standings, but also sparked debate over the team’s tactics – particularly the usage of key players like Markram.
