Good for IPL that new franchises are at top: Stoinis

Lucknow Super Giants allrounder Marcus Stoinis felt that the new franchises at the top of the table is good for Indian Premier League. LSG, with their Sunday's six-run over Delhi Capitals, have one foot in the playoffs and are second behind the other new franchise Gujarat Titans.

Stoinis defended 21 runs against Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel in the last over at the Wankhede Stadium as he was relieved that he didn't bowl a no ball.

"Thank god I didn't bowl a no ball. Well the plan initially was to get them hitting to the long side by bowling into the wicket but Kuldeep used his hands so well and hit that over square leg for six so quickly changed to plan B," Stoinis said at the post-match presentation.

The Australian allrounder hailed KL Rahul's leadership skills, who once again led from the front with a fluent 77 off 51 balls.

"Good for IPL that the new franchises are at the top. But for our group it's a really calm group. KL leads the way with that he is a really calm guy. He is a player's captain. He is motivating the boys, leading from the front. And in the staff as well. We can't ask for anything more," he said.

Stoinis also revealed that he was suffering with back spasms and didn't expect to bowl during the chasing.

"We spoke about it during one of the timeouts, but I had a bit of a back spasm last game so the plan was not to bowl today," he said.

"I didn't expect to bowl, but you got to do when needed I guess," Stoinis added.

Despite LSG's playoffs chances seems to be a certainty, Rahul said there is still work to be done in the next four league matches.

"Really not thinking about that (playoffs), we've played some good cricket. Happy with the way we are doing the right things, just gives us confidence and we need to come out every game and give it our 100 per cent, that's what we are trying to do," he said.

Rahul was full of praise for pacer Mohsin Khan who claimed 4-17 to turn the game in LSG's favour.

"He has been brilliant, played him in the nets first time a month ago. Didn't want to face him, seriously. He was sharp, he's scary at times in the nets. It's not just the pace, he has a good brain, has a bit of skill as well, has a great slower one and he knows when to use them," Rahul said.