The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ended their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign on a high note with an 18-run victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. In a match that saw thrilling action and strategic gameplay, LSG managed to emerge victorious, marking a memorable end to their season.
It all began with MI winning the toss and opting to field first. The decision came with a few notable changes in their lineup, the most significant being Arjun Tendulkar replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah. Despite this potentially game-changing alteration, LSG’s innings were initially anything but smooth sailing. The MI bowlers successfully kept the LSG batters in check, hampering their progression in the first half of the innings. By the 10th over, things looked grim for Lucknow, struggling to build momentum and losing wickets at regular intervals.
KL Rahul, one of the key batters, had to step up and hold the fort while Nicholas Pooran was tasked with injecting much-needed energy into the innings. Devdutt Padikkal, promoted to open the batting, was trapped leg-before by Nuwan Thushara in the very first over. Although Marcus Stoinis managed to get a good start, scoring 28 off 22 balls with five boundaries, his innings was cut short by Piyush Chawla, who trapped him leg-before on the last ball of the powerplay. Chawla’s continued impressive bowling performance saw him getting Deepak Hooda out, caught by Nehal Wadhera at point. By the end of the 10th over, LSG stood at 69 for three with Pooran making his way to the crease.
Pooran’s innings started slowly, with three consecutive dot balls, but he swiftly shifted gears, reaching his fifty off just 19 balls. It was a typical Pooran masterclass featuring horizontal bat shots, sending the ball flying square off the wicket. In the 13th over, Pooran plundered 22 runs, including two sixes, showcasing his unrelenting prowess.
Then came the 15th over, bowled by Arjun Tendulkar who was already nursing cramps. Pooran dispatched Tendulkar for two sixes over the leg-side, reaching his fifty. Tendulkar was forced to walk off due to cramps and Naman Dhir completed the over, only to be hit for a six and a four by Pooran. By the end of the 15th over, 29 runs had been amassed.
KL Rahul realized his fifty off 37 balls shortly thereafter.
. MI skipper brought back Thushara to counter the Pooran onslaught, which paid off as Pooran was dismissed for a quickfire 75 off 29 balls. Arshad Khan, the local hero, was promoted in the batting lineup but was dismissed on the first ball he faced. Soon, KL Rahul too fell prey to Piyush Chawla. At 178 for six, LSG still had their sights on the 200-mark. LSG managed to reach a commendable total of 214 after a late surge by Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni, who combined effectively to add crucial runs in the dying overs.
The MI innings started on a high note, as veteran Rohit Sharma and the young South African Dewald Brevis opened proceedings. Brevis, playing in place of Ishan Kishan, contributed to a respectable partnership of 88 with Rohit. The senior batter, Rohit, seemed in sublime touch, reaching his fifty off just 28 balls and hitting some standout shots that enthralled the crowd. His fiery start was crucial for MI’s tall chase.
Brevis’s dismissal after contributing 23 runs slowed the MI innings, and LSG capitalized on this breakthrough. Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t last long either, falling to Krunal Pandya in the 10th over. The real turning point was Rohit Sharma’s dismissal for 68 by Ravi Bishnoi, caught at short third-man in the 11th over.
Following these dismissals, the remaining MI batters couldn’t keep pace with the climbing run-rate. Despite a valiant effort by Naman Dhir, who scored an unbeaten 62 off 28 balls, the task became insurmountable. Dhir reached his half-century in the last over and concluded the innings with a six off Naveen, but MI still fell short by 18 runs.
LSG’s bowlers collectively put in a stellar performance, with Krunal Pandya leading the charge with a tight spell, conceding just 29 runs and taking a wicket in his four overs. Ravi Bishnoi’s contributions with two wickets for 37 runs also played a pivotal role in stemming MI’s run chase. The middle-overs spell by the LSG spinners was instrumental in tilting the game in their favor.
The win provided LSG with a robust finishing touch to their IPL 2024 campaign, showcasing both their batting depth and bowling discipline. It was a well-fought contest that underlined the uncertainties and thrilling elements that make the IPL a global cricketing spectacle.