Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) rounded off their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with an uplifting 18-run win against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The finale, steeped in drama and noteworthy performances, signaled a commendable campaign closure for LSG.
The coin landed in Mumbai’s favor, and they opted to bowl first, marking some significant changes to their lineup. Arjun Tendulkar replaced Jasprit Bumrah, making headlines even before the first ball was bowled. The decision appeared prudent initially, as MI’s bowlers struck at regular intervals, preventing LSG from gaining early momentum. At the halfway mark, LSG found themselves in precarious waters, their score teetering at 69 for three.
Promoted to open, Devdutt Padikkal was a pivotal figure early on. Yet, his innings was short-lived, falling leg-before to Nuwan Thushara in the opening over. Marcus Stoinis gave the innings a glimpse of promise, reaching 28 off 22 balls, only to be dismissed by Piyush Chawla on the last ball of the powerplay. Chawla’s spell kept things tight, adding pressure to LSG. In his third over, he scalped Deepak Hooda thanks to a sharp catch by Nehal Wadhera at point.
From then on, the spotlight turned to Nicholas Pooran, who walked in as LSG’s potential savior. Curiously, Pooran’s innings began with three dot balls. However, what followed was an onslaught of aggressive batting. Pooran blasted his way to fifty in just 19 balls, turning the game on its head. His mastery was characterized by powerful horizontal bat shots, with the ball frequently disappearing square of the wicket.
In the 13th over, Pooran hammered 22 runs, including a pair of sixes that set the tone for the rest of his innings. Arjun Tendulkar, struggling with cramps, was dispatched for consecutive sixes in the 15th over, helping Pooran reach his half-century. When Tendulkar left the field, Naman Dhir finished the over, but not before receiving similar treatment from Pooran, who added a six and a four to his tally. The mammoth over cost 29 runs.
KL Rahul, anchoring the innings, moved patiently to his fifty from 37 balls.
. Thushara, brought back into the attack, removed the dangerous Pooran for a 29-ball 75, a decisive wicket for MI. Arshad Khan, elevated in the batting order, perished almost immediately. In the subsequent over, Chawla claimed Rahul’s wicket. Despite the setbacks, at 178 for six, LSG were still optimistic about crossing the 200-run threshold.
Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni rose to the occasion, stitching together vital partnerships and boundaries that powered LSG to 214. This competitive total laid the foundation for a strong defense against MI’s batting lineup.
Mumbai’s chase saw a brisk start courtesy of Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis. The South African rising star, promoted in place of Ishan Kishan, partnered with Rohit to form an 88-run opening stand. Rohit was in sublime touch, bringing up his fifty off just 28 balls, featuring an array of elegant boundaries that delighted the Mumbai faithful.
This robust partnership threatened LSG initially, but Brevis’ dismissal after contributing 23 runs triggered a shift in momentum. Suryakumar Yadav’s departure in the 10th over, caught in the deep off Krunal Pandya, added to MI’s woes. The critical blow came when Rohit, anchoring MI’s hopes, was dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi for a well-crafted 68, leaving the innings in disarray.
As the pressure mounted, MI’s middle-order struggled to cope with the escalating required run rate. Naman Dhir, one of MI’s promising talents, showed grit by reaching his fifty in the match’s final over with a six off Naveen. Despite his resilient 62-not-out off 28 balls, MI faced an insurmountable challenge, needing 34 runs from the final over.
LSG’s disciplined bowling, led by Krunal Pandya who returned figures of one for 29 in four overs, played a crucial role in applying the brake on MI’s scoring. Ravi Bishnoi also shone, with two for 37 contributing significantly to the defense. Their combined efforts in the middle overs thwarted MI’s chase, leading to an emphatic win for LSG.
Although MI exhibited flashes of brilliance, particularly through Rohit Sharma and Naman Dhir, it was LSG who emerged victorious, capping their IPL 2024 campaign on a high note. The match, brimming with high-octane performances and strategic prowess, underscored the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of the IPL.
