'Looked like it was Punjab curator out here': LSG mentor Zaheer Khan rues no home support after loss

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) team mentor Zaheer Khan criticised the home pitch conditions following their eight-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings on Tuesday, suggesting it appeared to favour the opposition. LSG, with just one win in three games and a negative net run rate, currently sit at sixth position as Punjab Kings successfully chased down 172 runs, led by Prabhsimran Singh's explosive 69 off 34 balls on a pitch that offered grip and variable bounce.
The former India pacer expressed disappointment about not utilising home advantage, a common strategy in IPL.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
"What was a little disappointing for me here, considering it's a home game, and you know, in IPL you've seen how teams have looked at taking a little bit of home advantage, you know. So yeah, from that point of view, you've seen the curator is not really thinking that it's a home game. You know, I think maybe it looked like, you know, it was Punjab curator out here."

Zaheer, who previously served as global head of cricket development at Mumbai Indians before joining LSG, emphasised how this situation disappoints local supporters.
"So, that's something which we'll figure out. It's a new setup also for me here. But I hope that this is the first and the last game when it comes to that, because you are disappointing the Lucknow fans as well. They've come up with so much expectations of winning the first home game here. As a team, we are confident, you know, we accept that we've lost the game, and we're going to do whatever it takes to make that impact in the home leg. We still have six more games to go here."
Despite the significant home loss, Zaheer maintained his commitment to prioritising process over results.

"This is the third game of the season, you know, so we've been very vocal about how the team is looking at this season. So, that's something which is very important for us as a group. It's a very process-oriented setup, not so much result-oriented. So, we're going to definitely focus on the positives. Yes, there is some work to be done, which will happen in the due course."
The team mentor acknowledged the expectations surrounding their first home game while accepting Punjab's superior performance.
"See, that's the nature of IPL, isn't it? You will be on the go, you'll be playing home games, away games. It was the first home game for us for this season, so yes, there were a lot of expectations and hopes. Punjab did outplay us, that's how the game went.
"Like I said, you know, we are looking at the season in setting the parameters for us as a group. For us, it's important that we look at the whole group as one and with one mission, one vision, going out there, finding ways to win games.

"So, when you're looking at it that way, you know, there are going to be good days, bad days for us as we move along in the tournament. What matters is how we're looking at things."
Zaheer remained optimistic about the team's performance despite recent injuries, highlighting their bowling achievements.
"Yes, there were some injuries, but you look at the team which has taken the highest wickets in this tournament so far. You know, we've managed to create that impact, our first two games taking 18 wickets.
"This team has shown in the season so far, whatever little cricket is played, that we have the right outlook and the mindset to look at IPL, to look at the games. What you can expect is innovation, out of the box thinking, the fight, the hunger. And I think, you know, that sums up, you know, that sums up a team.
"And I think, you know, that's something which we want to give it to the fans. We want to give it to the loyalists of Lucknow Super Giants. So that's how we are looking at things."