The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) concluded their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 journey on an exhilarating note, securing an 18-run triumph against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in an electric atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium. The victory was a testament to LSG’s resilience and strategical prowess, marking a satisfying end to their season.
The match began with MI winning the toss and opting to bowl first, a decision that saw significant changes in their line-up. Most notably, Arjun Tendulkar made an entry in place of the seasoned Jasprit Bumrah. LSG’s innings exhibited a tale of two halves, with the first 10 overs fraught with challenges as MI’s bowlers maintained a tight grip, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals. At the halfway mark, LSG appeared to be in a precarious position.
Stepping up to the task, Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul took it upon themselves to rebuild the innings. KL Rahul, already set at the crease, had to play the anchor role while Pooran was tasked with injecting energy into the innings. Devdutt Padikkal, promoted to open the batting, faced an early setback, being trapped leg-before by Nuwan Thushara in the first over. Despite early turbulence, Marcus Stoinis offered a glimmer of hope with a promising start, notching up 28 off 22 balls with five elegant fours. However, his innings was cut short as Piyush Chawla trapped him leg-before on the last ball of the powerplay.
Piyush Chawla’s spell was instrumental in maintaining restraint over LSG’s batsmen during the initial overs. By his third over, Chawla managed to procure an edge off Deepak Hooda’s bat, which was smartly snaffled by Nehal Wadhera at point, leaving LSG wobbling at 69 for three by the halfway stage. Enter Nicholas Pooran, who initially took time to get off the mark but then unleashed a spectacular assault on MI’s bowlers, reminding everyone of his explosive potential.
Pooran played out his first three deliveries as dot balls but then blazed his way to a fifty off just 19 balls, effectively racing to the milestone in 16 deliveries. His wagon-wheel displayed his penchant for horizontal bat shots, with the ball frequently vanishing to all corners of the ground.
The 13th over witnessed fireworks as Pooran plundered 22 runs, including two colossal sixes. Arjun Tendulkar, suffering from cramps, was brought in to bowl the 15th over and faced a similar fate, being dispatched over the leg-side for two sixes, facilitating Pooran’s rapid fifty. Tendulkar eventually exited the field, and Naman Dhir completed the over, which culminated in 29 runs courtesy of Pooran’s relentless onslaught.
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KL Rahul, steady as ever, reached his fifty off 37 balls, offering a solid foundation. Nuwan Thushara, reintroduced into the attack, delivered once more by dismissing Pooran for an exhilarating 29-ball 75. Arshad Khan, thrust up in the batting order, succumbed immediately, skying his first ball. The following over saw the fall of KL Rahul to Chawla, leaving LSG at 178 for six.
Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni then combined forces to push LSG towards a commendable total of 214, securing key boundaries in the closing overs.
Chasing a steep target, MI’s innings commenced positively with Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis at the helm. Brevis, promoted to open in place of Ishan Kishan, showcased a promising start alongside a dominant Rohit Sharma. The opening partnership of 88 runs in just over eight overs set a solid platform, with Rohit dazzling the crowd with an array of scintillating shots to reach his fifty off 28 balls.
However, Brevis’s dismissal, contributing just 23 to the partnership, momentarily halted MI’s momentum. The wickets that followed only bolstered LSG’s grip on the game. Suryakumar Yadav was caught in the deep off Krunal Pandya’s delivery in the 10th over, and in a crucial blow, Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a valiant 68 by Ravi Bishnoi, caught at short third-man.
Facing a rising required run-rate, MI’s middle and lower-order batsmen struggled to keep pace. Amid the mounting pressure, Naman Dhir displayed commendable grit, notching up his half-century in the final over with a six off Naveen. Dhir’s valiant effort, an unbeaten 62 off 28 balls, offered MI a glimmer of hope, but with 34 runs needed off the last over, the task remained herculean.
LSG’s bowlers delivered a cohesive team effort, with Krunal Pandya’s economical spell of one for 29 in four overs proving pivotal during the middle phase. Ravi Bishnoi’s two for 37 also played a significant role in thwarting MI’s chase. The spinners’ combined impact during the middle overs stifled MI’s scoring rate, which ultimately made the difference in a high-pressure chase.
In the end, LSG’s tactical play and resolute bowling sealed a memorable win, closing their IPL 2024 campaign on a triumphant note.
