In a thrilling IPL 2024 showdown, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) capped off their campaign with an emphatic 18-run victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
The electrifying match began with MI captain Rohit Sharma winning the toss and opting to bowl first. MI made several changes to their line-up, notably bringing in Arjun Tendulkar in place of the injured Jasprit Bumrah. From the outset, LSG struggled to establish a substantial momentum during their innings, particularly during the first 10 overs. MI bowlers maintained tight control, claiming wickets at regular intervals and putting significant pressure on the LSG batting line-up. This period of pressure saw LSG at a precarious position at the halfway mark of their innings.
In a critical juncture for LSG, the responsibility of stabilizing the innings fell on the shoulders of Nicholas Pooran and the already set KL Rahul. The game saw a strategic shift with Devdutt Padikkal being promoted to open the batting. However, MI’s Nuwan Thushara struck early, trapping Padikkal leg-before in the very first over. The powerplay continued to present challenges for LSG, although Marcus Stoinis showed promising form. Stoinis raced to 28 off 22 balls, including five boundaries, before falling to a leg-before decision by Piyush Chawla on the final ball of the powerplay. Chawla’s tight bowling continued to trouble LSG, exemplified by him inducing an edge from Deepak Hooda’s bat that was brilliantly caught by Nehal Wadhera at point.
By the 10-over mark, LSG were struggling at 69 for three. Nicholas Pooran then stepped up to the crease. Despite a slow start, playing out three consecutive dot balls, Pooran unleashed a fireworks show as he accelerated to a blistering fifty off just 19 balls. In a matter of 16 balls, Pooran demonstrated his wide array of horizontal bat shots, repeatedly sending the ball soaring over the square boundaries on both sides of the wicket.
The 13th over was particularly explosive, as Pooran clobbered two sixes to amass 22 runs from it. Arjun Tendulkar, despite showing signs of cramping, returned to bowl the 15th over only to be dispatched for two more sixes by the rampant Pooran. Tendulkar had to leave the field, and Naman Dhir completed the over, which ended up conceding a hefty 29 runs thanks to further boundaries from Pooran. Rahul, playing a supportive role, reached his fifty soon after facing 37 balls.
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Thushara made a comeback for MI, managing to dismiss the red-hot Pooran, who had blazed his way to 75 runs off just 29 balls. In an unexpected move, Arshad Khan was elevated in the batting order but failed to deliver, getting out to the very first ball he faced. Soon after, KL Rahul was sent packing by Piyush Chawla. Despite these setbacks, LSG managed to push their total towards the 200-mark with notable contributions from Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni, eventually ending their innings at 214.
In response, MI’s innings began with a strong partnership between Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis. The young South African opener was promoted to the top of the order in place of Ishan Kishan. Rohit Sharma took control of the early part of the innings, delighting the Wankhede crowd with several extravagant shots. With MI chasing a tall target, Rohit showcased his renowned batting capabilities, reaching his half-century off just 28 balls. Throughout the powerplay, Rohit’s dominance was evident as he effectively exploited fielding restrictions.
The 88-run opening partnership was disrupted with Brevis contributing 23 runs. Brevis’s departure marked a turning point, opening the floodgates for LSG’s bowlers. Suryakumar Yadav also fell victim to Krunal Pandya, getting out in the 10th over. MI received a crushing blow when Rohit, after scoring a well-paced 68, was dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi in the following over, caught at short third-man.
With MI facing a mounting required run-rate, their middle and lower-order batters found themselves in a tight spot. However, Naman Dhir, one of MI’s promising youngsters, showed fighting spirit, reaching his half-century with a six off the last over bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq. Despite his valiant effort, scoring an unbeaten 62 off 28 balls, the steep climb of 34 needed off the final over proved insurmountable.
LSG’s bowling attack rose to the occasion with a true team effort. Krunal Pandya led from the front with a crucial spell, conceding just 29 runs in his four overs and picking up a key wicket. Ravi Bishnoi supported ably, taking two wickets for 37 runs, effectively stifiling MI’s scoring in the critical middle overs.
Ultimately, LSG’s all-round efficiency, particularly during the middle phase, ensured that MI fell short of their target, allowing LSG to close their IPL 2024 journey with a memorable victory.