NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer took the initiative to designate KL Rahul as the ‘Impact Player’ and appointed Nicholas Pooran as captain for their Indian Premier League match against Punjab Kings in Lucknow on Saturday.
Although the ‘Impact Player’ rule was introduced last season, it’s a rarity to witness a captain being bestowed with this title.
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The decision to have Pooran emerge for the toss left everyone taken aback.
“KL is coming back from injury and we’re looking to give him a break in such a long tournament, but he’ll play as an impact player today. Everyone must take the opportunities and perform at their best,” Pooran said at the toss.
Rahul, who missed four Tests against England due to a quadriceps injury which healed “90 percent” (as per a BCCI release), was declared fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before the IPL, and the LSG skipper opened and kept wickets in their first match against Rajasthan Royals.
However, sources tracking the development at LSG explained the rationale behind the decision.
“KL is absolutely fit and remains very much in charge. It is a decision taken by coach,” the source said.

It is understood that on days when LSG bat first, Rahul could be the only player in the top order, who could be replaced in order to bring in a bowler.
Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni and Krunal Pandya can all bowl while Quinton De Kock can keep. Nicholas Pooran is a brilliant outfielder and Devdutt Padikkal is also an above average fielder.
In matches in which LSG bat first, the use of a specialist bowler-pacer or spinner can only happen if Rahul is replaced. That explains the decision by Langer, who is looking to make optimum use of the available resources.
(With PTI inputs)