In a remarkable turn of events, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) recorded their first victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, prevailing by 33 runs in a gripping contest at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. This win not only marks a historic milestone for LSG but also breaks GT’s winning streak against them in their previous encounters.
The match began on a high note for GT, who seemed comfortably on the chase for LSG’s target of 164. GT’s openers, Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan, gave their team a solid start, propelling the score to 47 for no loss in the first five overs. Sudharsan, in particular, showed commendable skill, quickly accumulating 31 runs and appearing well set for a big score. The duo’s partnership surpassed 50 runs and appeared to lay a robust foundation for another GT triumph over LSG.
However, the tide of the match turned dramatically in the sixth over when LSG bowler Yash Thakur dismissed Gill, sparking a dramatic collapse. Kane Williamson, substituting in as an impact player, joined Sudharsan but could not stabilize the innings as LSG’s spinners tightened their grip. Ravi Bishnoi delivered a masterclass in spin bowling, cleverly deceiving Williamson, who succumbed to a brilliant caught and bowled in the eighth over. Soon after, Krunal Pandya dismantled the remaining top order, including a key wicket of Sudharsan, reducing GT from 54 for no loss to 61 for four.
LSG’s bowling attack continued to dominate the proceedings, led by an exceptional performance from Pandya, who ended the game with figures of three for 11. The standout bowler for LSG, however, was Yash Thakur. Faced with the responsibility of leading the attack after Mayank Yadav exited the field due to injury, Thakur rose magnificently to the occasion. His crucial wickets in the 15th over, including Vijay Shankar and Rashid Khan, effectively quashed any hope of a GT comeback.
Despite a valiant 30 off 25 balls from Rahul Tewatia, GT’s innings never recovered from the earlier setbacks. Tewatia’s lone effort was insufficient as the required rate soared, and he eventually fell to Thakur in the penultimate over. Thakur’s final wicket of Noor Ahmad granted him a well-deserved maiden fifer in the IPL, sealing a conclusive victory for LSG.
Earlier in the day, LSG had a rocky start to their innings. After winning the toss and electing to bat, their openers, led by Quinton de Kock, aimed for an aggressive beginning. Despite de Kock’s early exit, followed by Devdutt Padikkal, LSG found stability through KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis. The duo stitched together a crucial 73-run partnership, with Stoinis playing the aggressor. His noteworthy 58 off 43 balls, along with vital contributions from Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni towards the innings’ close, propelled LSG past the 160-run mark.
This game, a blend of strategic brilliance and skillful execution by LSG, was a true testament to their growing prowess in the league, setting up exciting prospects for their upcoming fixtures. The match not only offered thrilling cricket but also shifted the dynamics in the rivalry between LSG and GT, heralding a new chapter in IPL’s storied competition.