Visakhapatnam, Mar 25 (UNI) Despite the disappointment of a tough loss, LSG Assistant Coach Lance Klusener remains optimistic. The seasoned coach is not one to dwell on excuses, but as he dissected his team's performance, one point stood out, the need for young players to step up in an injury-ridden squad.

"We don’t have a lot of reserves with the ball at the moment," Klusener admitted, acknowledging the struggles of his bowling attack in a post-match press conference here on late Monday night. "We have to mix and match until we get players back, but that’s an opportunity for youngsters."



One such bright spot was Shardul Thakur, who struck twice in the first over, repaying the faith shown in him. "He has spent time with us, got an opportunity in this year’s IPL, and he gave us a great start," Klusener said, hinting at the potential brewing in the squad despite their struggles.

Looking ahead, Klusener was keen to turn the page quickly, especially with just three days before their next match. His focus is now on keeping the youngsters mentally strong. "It’s important to keep them positive and believing in their ability. The opposition is allowed to play well too, and some nights they will," he said, urging his team to stay fresh and back themselves in the coming games.

Despite the setback, Klusener found a silver lining in his experience of playing in a new city. Having traveled extensively across India for nearly 30 years, he was struck by the vibrant atmosphere. "The spectators were fantastic, the sound system was great, it reminded me of Durban," he said, visibly impressed. "It’s beautiful, and I’ll be back."

With Hyderabad on the horizon, Klusener’s message was clear, score more runs, stand tall under pressure, and trust in the youngsters who will shape the team’s future.

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