The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) concluded their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign with a resounding 18-run victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. In a riveting match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, LSG managed to pull off a triumphant finish, showcasing both strategic finesse and individual brilliance.
At the outset, MI won the toss and elected to bowl first, introducing a few strategic changes to their lineup. The most notable change was the inclusion of Arjun Tendulkar, who replaced the seasoned Jasprit Bumrah. As the match unfolded, LSG’s innings progressed in two distinctive phases. The initial 10 overs saw MI bowlers maintaining a firm grip on LSG’s batting lineup, restricting them effectively. MI’s recurrent success in picking wickets kept LSG wary and under pressure. The responsibility to elevate the innings fell significantly on Nicholas Pooran and the steadfast KL Rahul, who needed to anchor the innings and set a respectable total.
Devdutt Padikkal was promoted to the opening position but faced an early setback. Nuwan Thushara swiftly trapped him leg-before in the opening over, setting an intense tone for the rest of the game. Despite this early hiccup, Marcus Stoinis offered a glimpse of hope for LSG, crafting a quick 28 off 22 balls adorned with five boundaries before Piyush Chawla brought his innings to an abrupt halt. Chawla, particularly frugal with runs, claimed a critical edge from Deepak Hooda that was smartly caught by Nehal Wadhera, maintaining MI’s dominance in the first half of LSG’s innings. By the halfway mark, LSG was precariously poised at 69 for three.
Then arrived Nicholas Pooran, whose entry was nothing short of electrifying. Initially playing three dot balls, Pooran went on to exhibit a spectacular display of power-hitting. He remarkably accelerated, reaching his fifty in just 16 active deliveries, and left the MI bowlers scrambling. His innings was an exhibit of brilliant stroke play, particularly with shots that rocketed to the boundary with sheer velocity and skill. In one of the explosive moments of the match, Pooran rained down two sixes in the 13th over alone, cementing his impact at the crease.
The dramatic climax of Pooran’s performance came during the 15th over, costing MI 29 runs—even as Arjun Tendulkar, who was cramping, was substituted by Naman Dhir mid-over.
. Pooran seized this opportunity to further escalate his offense, eventually reaching a fiery 75 off 29 balls before Thushara’s return ended his phenomenal innings. Around Pooran’s dismissal, KL Rahul quietly built towards his milestone of 50 off 37 balls, setting the base for a resilient LSG total. Although Arshad Khan, once a hero in a previous LSG game, was elevated in the batting order, his contribution was negligible, falling prey to Chawla. Despite these setbacks, LSG fought their way to a formidable 214, largely due to the late-order exploits by Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni.
MI’s chase started with notable promise as Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis ignited a robust opening partnership. Brevis, choosing to bat in place of Ishan Kishan, paired effectively with Rohit, who was clearly in exceptional form. The partnership was characterized by illustrious shots that deeply engaged the crowd, notably Rohit’s determined half-century reached in merely 28 balls. His innings was emblematic of tactical prowess during the early overs.
Nevertheless, just as momentum seemed to favor MI, Brevis’s departure introduced a stutter. This setback, in turn, provided LSG openings to apply pressure that led to further MI wickets. Notably, Suryakumar Yadav’s attempt at a high shot found Krunal Pandya in the deep, and shortly thereafter, Rohit’s formidable innings ended at the hands of Ravi Bishnoi, who claimed his wicket through a well-placed catch by short third-man.
As the innings progressed, MI faced an increasingly daunting run-rate. The mounting pressure saw their lineup battling valiantly yet falling progressively short. Despite a commendable effort by Naman Dhir, who capped off his night with a valiant unbeaten 62 off 28 balls, MI fell short in their pursuit. Dhir’s remarkable strike in the final overs, including a six off the last ball, offered a silver lining for MI, indicating positive prospects for future games.
LSG’s successful defense of their total was underscored by a concerted bowling effort, led by the adept Krunal Pandya. His spell of one for 29 in four overs played a crucial role during the critical mid-phase of MI’s innings. Adding to the pressure was Bishnoi’s effectual two for 37, a performance that crucially impeded MI’s scoring momentum. The strategic use of spinners emerged as a pivotal factor for LSG, facilitating their control and ultimately sealing a well-earned victory to close their IPL 2024 journey with distinction.