Watch: LSG head coach Justin Langer says IPL is 'the same sort of pressure as a World Cup'

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) wrapped up their IPL 2024 season on a positive note, securing an 18-run victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their final league match. Despite this win, it marked the first time in three seasons that LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Heading into the game, LSG needed not only a win against MI but also favorable outcomes from other weekend matches to secure an unlikely playoff spot. However, their net run rate saw only a slight improvement to -0.667, meaning they could only climb up to 6th spot.

Following the victory, LSG head coach Justin Langer, who experienced his first stint in the IPL this season, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance in the concluding match. "It's good to win, it's no fun losing. Honestly, I've just written an article for The Weekend back home, my weekly article and I've just said it's more fun winning than losing. It doesn't matter how old you get, it's still no fun losing. So it's nice even to finish off strongly tonight," Langer remarked.

Langer also drew comparisons between the pressure of the IPL and that of a World Cup, highlighting the intensity and competitiveness of the league. "I guess the biggest thing is it's just really tough cricket. It's like a World Cup; it's honestly like the same sort of pressure as a World Cup I think, and I've been to a few World Cups now. So that's a great credit to the IPL, that they're able to keep producing such fun, entertaining evolving cricket in front of a capacity crowd with noise every game and there's a game on every night," he emphasized.

Reflecting on his IPL experience, Langer conveyed a sense of fulfillment and reluctance to leave. "So I'm sad to go home, I'm going home on the weekend. I'm really sad to be going home, I've loved it that much," he added.