In a thrilling conclusion to their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured a memorable 18-run victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The clash of titans saw fortunes swinging and players stepping up in a high-octane contest that exemplified the spirit of IPL cricket.
The prelude to the match began with Mumbai Indians winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Mumbai’s strategy involved a few key changes to their line-up, notably the inclusion of Arjun Tendulkar in place of the seasoned pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The decision aimed to provide the young Tendulkar with valuable game time and experience.
The LSG innings started with a cautious approach as they struggled to gain momentum during the first ten overs. Mumbai’s bowlers were disciplined, picking up wickets at regular intervals and keeping the scoring rate in check. At the halfway mark, LSG found themselves in a precarious position, requiring significant recovery to post a competitive total. The responsibility fell on the shoulders of Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul to navigate through the challenging phase and build a strong finish.
Promoted to open the batting, Devdutt Padikkal’s innings was short-lived as he was trapped leg-before by Nuwan Thushara in the very first over. Despite the early setback, Marcus Stoinis managed to provide some respite, getting off to a brisk start. His aggressiveness yielded a useful 28 off 22 balls with five boundaries, but he, too, succumbed to Piyush Chawla’s clever bowling, leg-before, in the last ball of the powerplay. Chawla’s spell through the middle overs kept the pressure on LSG, further demonstrated when he got Deepak Hooda’s edge caught brilliantly at point by Nehal Wadhera.
By the time Pooran walked in, LSG were reeling at 69 for three. Pooran, however, took some time to settle in, seeing off his first three deliveries as dot balls. What followed was a masterclass in power-hitting. Pooran’s explosive batting was on full display as he amassed a blistering 50 off just 19 balls, effectively reaching the milestone in merely 16 legitimate deliveries. His innings included a barrage of horizontal bat shots, sending the ball flying square off the wicket on both sides.
The turning point came in the 13th over, where Pooran hammered 22 runs, including two massive sixes. The intensity peaked further as a cramping Arjun Tendulkar returned to bowl the 15th over, only for Pooran to dismantle him with two repeated sixes over the leg-side, racing to his fifty.
. When Tendulkar exited the field, Naman Dhir had to complete the over, and Pooran continued his onslaught with a six and a four, culminating in a mammoth 29-run over.
KL Rahul reached his own fifty off 37 balls, providing stability while Pooran executed his blitzkrieg. Thushara, returning to the attack, managed to dent LSG’s charge by dismissing Pooran for a dazzling 29-ball 75. Arshad Khan, a revelation in LSG’s prior game, couldn’t replicate his success, falling to the first ball he faced. Soon after, Rahul was sent back to the pavilion by Chawla. Despite these setbacks, LSG pushed towards the 200-mark, finishing at a formidable 214 thanks to crucial late contributions from Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni.
Mumbai’s reply was launched by an aggressive opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis, who were promoted to open in place of Ishan Kishan. Rohit led the assault, playing a gem of an innings filled with classy and authoritative shots that entertained the home crowd. The pair put up 88 runs in slightly over eight overs, with Brevis contributing a measured 23. Rohit’s fifty came off just 28 balls, laying a solid foundation for MI’s chase.
However, Brevis’s dismissal led to a slide. Suryakumar Yadav fell cheaply, caught in the deep off Krunal Pandya’s bowling in the 10th over. The critical blow to MI’s hopes came when Rohit was dismissed for an impressive 68, courtesy of a well-planned short third-man catch off Ravi Bishnoi’s bowling.
Amidst a rising net run-rate, the remaining MI batters found it challenging to keep the scorecard ticking. Youngster Naman Dhir displayed commendable resilience, reaching his fifty in the final over with a towering six off Naveen-ul-Haq. However, with 34 runs required off the last over, Mumbai’s task proved insurmountable. Dhir ended unbeaten on 62 off 28 balls, providing a silver lining for MI with his fine effort.
LSG’s bowling unit delivered a collective performance, headlined by Krunal Pandya’s economical spell of one for 29 in four overs, and Ravi Bishnoi’s crucial two for 37. The spin duo’s disciplined bowling crunched MI in the middle overs, creating the pressure that propelled LSG towards a well-deserved victory.
With this win, LSG concluded their league stage on a dominant note, reflecting their team spirit and depth in both batting and bowling as they look forward to the playoffs with renewed confidence.