The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) capped off their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign with a commendable 18-run victory against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium. This thrilling encounter added another memorable chapter to the competitive history of the IPL.
Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to bowl first, incorporating a few strategic changes, the most significant being Arjun Tendulkar replacing the experienced Jasprit Bumrah. LSG’s batting innings was a tale of two contrasting halves, where the initial 10 overs were surprisingly subdued. The Mumbai bowlers exhibited discipline, consistently chipping away at the wickets and preventing the LSG batters from building any significant partnerships. However, the narrative shifted dramatically in the latter half, highlighted by a scintillating performance from Nicholas Pooran and the steadfast KL Rahul.
Promoted to open the batting, Devdutt Padikkal’s run was short-lived as he was trapped leg-before by Nuwan Thushara in the opening over. The powerplay saw Marcus Stoinis take center stage with a promising start, scoring 28 off 22 balls, including five boundaries. His innings, however, was cut short by Piyush Chawla, who had him leg-before on the last delivery of the powerplay. Chawla’s tight spells kept a lid on the scoring and reinforced Mumbai’s control over the innings. By the half-way mark, LSG had amassed 69 runs for the loss of three wickets.
Nicholas Pooran then walked in and took some time to settle. His initial three deliveries were dot balls, but what followed was nothing short of spectacular. Pooran unleashed an explosive batting display, reaching his fifty off just 19 balls, effectively making it in 16 balls after the dots. He employed his trademark horizontal bat shots, sending the ball racing across the field.
The 13th over, delivered by Arjun Tendulkar, turned out to be a turning point as it yielded 22 runs, including two sixes from Pooran. Tendulkar, struggling with cramps, bowled only one over before Naman Dhir completed it, who was also not spared from Pooran’s wrath.
. The 15th over bowled by these two went for a massive 29 runs, further fueling LSG’s total.
Rahul continued to craft his innings, reaching his fifty in 37 balls. Thushara was called back into the attack and responded by ending Pooran’s electrifying 29-ball 75. Arshad Khan came in briefly but fell prey to Thushara on his very first delivery. Soon after, Rahul too was dismissed by Chawla, leaving LSG at 178 for six.
In the concluding part of the innings, Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni came together to steer LSG past the 200-run mark, finishing at 214 with some crucial boundaries.
In response, MI’s innings was set up by an aggressive start from Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis. The young South African, promoted to opening in place of Ishan Kishan, partnered with Rohit for an 88-run opening stand. Rohit was in sublime form, reaching his fifty in just 28 balls and playing some mesmerizing shots that delighted the home crowd at Wankhede.
Brevis’s wicket for 23 brought a significant pause to MI’s innings. The introduction of LSG’s spinners, particularly Krunal Pandya, who removed Suryakumar Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi, who claimed the vital wicket of Rohit for 68, further stifled MI’s run chase.
As the required run rate climbed dauntingly, MI’s middle-order struggled to keep pace. Naman Dhir, however, showcased grit and fought valiantly, compiling a half-century in the last over of the match with a six off Naveen-ul-Haq. Despite Dhir’s unbeaten 62 off 28 balls, which included an impressive six off the final delivery, MI fell short of the target.
The bowlers from LSG executed a disciplined game plan, with notable performances from Krunal Pandya, who bowled economically with figures of one for 29 in four overs, and Ravi Bishnoi’s crucial two for 37. Their efforts in the middle overs crucially tilted the match in LSG’s favor.
And so, LSG signed off from IPL 2024 with a well-deserved win, showcasing a blend of resilience and flair while MI, despite their valiant efforts, were left to reflect on a game where the opposition’s strategic brilliance outshone their chase.