The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) capped off their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign with an exhilarating 18-run triumph over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The game, charged with high stakes and dramatic performances, lived up to the expectations of die-hard cricket fans.
The coin toss fell in favor of MI, who elected to bowl first, incorporating a few strategic changes in their line-up, with the most notable being the inclusion of Arjun Tendulkar in place of the seasoned Jasprit Bumrah. However, LSG’s innings presented a tale of two contrasting halves. The first 10 overs saw them struggle to gain momentum, as MI’s bowlers executed their strategies with precision, keeping LSG’s batsmen on a tight leash. Frequent wicket falls added to LSG’s woes, leaving them in a precarious situation at the midway point.
Enter Nicholas Pooran, who along with the well-set KL Rahul, took on the arduous task of rebuilding the innings. Promoted to open the batting, Devdutt Padikkal was trapped leg-before by Nuwan Thushara in the very first over. Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis, despite a promising start, was trapped leg-before by Piyush Chawla on the last ball of the powerplay with a score of 28 off 22 balls, comprising five boundaries. Chawla’s methodological bowling further stifled the LSG batsmen, inducing an edge from Deepak Hooda which was caught by Nehal Wadhera at point. By the 10-over mark, LSG were tottering at 69 for three, heralding Pooran’s arrival to the crease.
Interestingly, Pooran began his innings cautiously, with the first three deliveries he faced being dot balls. However, what transpired next was nothing short of a batting masterclass. Pooran unleashed a whirlwind of strokes, racing to his fifty off just 19 balls, effectively taking only 16 balls for the milestone after the initial three dot balls. His mercurial innings featured a barrage of horizontal bat shots, sending the ball flying towards square boundaries on both sides of the pitch.
The tempo of LSG’s innings dramatically shifted in the 13th over, as Pooran clobbered two sixes, collecting 22 runs off it. Arjun Tendulkar, battling cramps, was introduced to bowl the 15th over, but was dispatched for two leg-side sixes by an on-fire Pooran, marking a blazing half-century. Tendulkar subsequently exited the field, and Naman Dhir completed the over.
. Even then, Pooran continued his onslaught, striking Dhir for a six and a four. The 15th over yielded a whopping 29 runs, bolstering LSG’s total considerably.
Rahul too notched up his half-century off 37 balls, providing a steady hand as Thushara returned to strike gold for MI by dismissing Pooran for an explosive 75 off 29 balls. Arshad Khan, who had previously shone for LSG, skied his very first delivery after being promoted in the odrer. The reprieve was brief, as Rahul succumbed to Chawla shortly thereafter, leaving LSG at 178 for six and still in pursuit of the 200-run mark.
Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni then played pivotal roles, stringing together important boundaries towards the end to push LSG to a competitive total of 214.
MI’s chase began on a positive note, spearheaded by Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis. Brevis, elevated to open in place of Ishan Kishan, partnered well with Rohit to craft an 88-run stand in just over eight overs. Rohit, in particular, was in sublime form, racing to his fifty off a mere 28 balls, enthraling the crowd with a slew of captivating shots.
However, Brevis’s departure for 23 served as a turning point, opening the floodgates for LSG. The dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav, caught in the deep off Krunal Pandya in the 10th over, further dented MI’s innings. The decisive blow came when Rohit was caught at short third-man by Ravi Bishnoi for a well-made 68, turning the tide in LSG’s favor.
The rest of the MI batting lineup struggled against the escalating required run-rate. Despite a valiant effort, notably by Naman Dhir, who reached his half-century in the final over with a towering six off Naveen, MI faced an insurmountable challenge needing 34 runs off the last over. Dhir’s vigilant knock concluded with an unbeaten 62 off 28 balls, punctuated by a six on the final ball.
LSG’s bowlers showcased a commendable collective effort, with Krunal Pandya leading the charge with an economical spell of one for 29 in four overs. Ravi Bishnoi’s two for 37 also proved pivotal in stymieing MI’s run chase during the critical middle overs.
Thus, with a disciplined bowling display and electrifying batting performances, LSG clinched an 18-run victory, marking a triumphant end to their IPL 2024 season.