In a spectacular showdown at the Wankhede Stadium, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) concluded their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign on a high note, securing an 18-run victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI). The encounter was a roller-coaster of emotions for both teams and their fans.
The drama unfolded right from the toss, where MI captain Rohit Sharma opted to bowl first, introducing a few changes in the squad including the young Arjun Tendulkar stepping in for the seasoned Jasprit Bumrah. LSG’s batting effort was a tale of two contrasting halves, with the first half dominated by MI’s bowlers effectively stifling the run rate and claiming wickets at steady intervals.
Devdutt Padikkal, promoted to open the innings for LSG, was trapped leg-before by Nuwan Thushara on the very first over, setting a shaky start. Amidst the early turbulence, it was Marcus Stoinis who managed to hold fort temporarily, scoring a brisk 28 off 22 balls laced with five boundaries. However, his run was cut short as Piyush Chawla got him leg-before on the last ball of the powerplay.
MI bowlers, especially Chawla, maintained a tight grip through the first ten overs, with Deepak Hooda falling in his third over to an edge that found Nehal Wadhera at point. At the midway mark, LSG were at a precarious position of 69 for three, and the stage was set for Nicholas Pooran to orchestrate a revival.
Pooran’s start might have seemed cautious, playing out his first three deliveries as dot balls, but what followed was a masterclass in power hitting. Remarkably, he reached his fifty off just 19 balls, showcasing a flurry of horizontal bat shots that sent the ball whizzing past the boundaries on either side of the wicket. His onslaught began in the 13th over, which saw him plunder two sixes, accumulating 22 runs off the over.
Pooran’s aggressive batting continued unabated. When Arjun Tendulkar, bowling despite cramps, came on for the 15th over, Pooran dispatched him for two sixes over the leg side, reaching his fifty in style. Tendulkar’s over, completed by Naman Dhir, eventually went for 29 runs, significantly boosting LSG’s total. Pooran was finally dismissed by Thushara for a stunning 75 off 29 balls, a pivotal inning which accelerated LSG’s score.
KL Rahul, who had played a stabilizing role, reached his fifty off 37 balls.
. However, soon after, LSG faced setbacks with Arshad Khan’s mistimed shot and Rahul’s own dismissal by Chawla in consecutive overs. Nevertheless, Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni provided the much-needed finishing touches, taking LSG to a competitive total of 214 with crucial boundaries towards the end.
Chasing a daunting target, MI’s innings started on a promising note with Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis opening. The young South African, Brevis, was given an opportunity in place of Ishan Kishan and partnered with Rohit to form an 88-run opening stand. Rohit led the charge with some exquisite shots, bringing up his fifty in just 28 balls, a display that enthralled the home crowd.
Despite the brilliant start, Brevis’s dismissal after scoring 23 disrupted MI’s momentum, which proved to be a turning point. The following overs saw MI lose crucial wickets, with Suryakumar Yadav falling to Krunal Pandya and Rohit succumbing to Ravi Bishnoi for a well-compiled 68, caught at short third-man.
With the required run rate climbing steeply, MI’s middle and lower order struggled to keep pace. Youngster Naman Dhir offered a ray of hope, fighting valiantly to reach his fifty in the final over with a six off Naveen, ending on an unbeaten 62 off 28 balls. However, with MI needing 34 off the last over, the task was insurmountable.
LSG’s collective bowling effort was pivotal. Krunal Pandya shone with a spell of one for 29 in his four overs, providing crucial breakthroughs. Bishnoi’s contributions (two for 37) were equally significant, effectively containing MI’s big hitters during the middle overs. This combined effort by LSG’s bowlers ensured they maintained control over the game, ultimately sealing the victory.
The match was a fitting end to LSG’s IPL 2024 journey, showcasing resilience and strategic gameplay. For MI, although the late innings saw a sparkling performance from Naman Dhir, it wasn’t enough to clinch the win, leaving room for introspection as they exit the tournament.