India, April 23 -- In what can only be described as a tactical blunder, Lucknow Super Giants chose to hold back their captain, Rishabh Pant, until the final two deliveries of the innings during their heavy eight-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals. With the side struggling for momentum after electing to bat first, the decision to promote Abdul Samad, who managed just 2 off 8 balls, ahead of Pant backfired spectacularly.

The decision invited strong criticism from experts Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Anil Kumble, and Harbhajan Singh, who were all baffled with Pant arriving to the crease with only two balls remaining in the innings. During the Hindi broadcast of the match, Saba Karim, too, was surprised at the tactical decision.

"Strategy? It's...