The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) capped off their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign with a resounding 18-run victory over the formidable Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. As the two teams squared off in the 67th match of the season, it was a game that held the audience in rapt attention from start to finish, maintaining cricket’s unpredictable charm.
Having won the toss, MI skipper Rohit Sharma opted to bowl first. MI made a few strategic changes to their lineup, most notably bringing in young Arjun Tendulkar in place of the experienced Jasprit Bumrah. However, what followed was an innings unfolding in contrasting phases, punctuated by key turning points dictated by some riveting individual performances on both sides.
The first half of LSG’s innings was marred by a lack of momentum. MI’s bowlers adeptly maintained the pressure, picking up wickets at regular intervals. With LSG faltering, it was left to the dynamic pair of Nicholas Pooran and captain KL Rahul to inject some life into the innings.
Promoted to open the batting, Devdutt Padikkal fell candidate to an early leg-before decision from Nuwan Thushara in the very first over. Marcus Stoinis, however, managed to find his stride, moving along to a brisk 28 off 22 balls before Piyush Chawla trapped him leg-before on the last ball of the powerplay. Chawla, keeping it tight, further capitalized in his third over, drawing an edge from Deepak Hooda which was smartly caught by Nehal Wadhera at point. At the halfway point, LSG had managed only 69 runs for the loss of three wickets, bringing in Pooran to rescue the innings.
It was then that Nicholas Pooran took the center stage, initially playing three consecutive dot balls before launching into an extraordinary display of power-hitting. Reaching his fifty off just 19 balls, he effectively took only 16 balls to achieve the milestone. Pooran’s signature shots, particularly the horizontal bat strikes, scattered the ball to all parts of the ground.
The 13th over saw Pooran’s mesmerizing batting prowess at its peak. Picking up two sixes, he scored 22 runs off the over and appeared unstoppable. Arjun Tendulkar, clearly struggling with cramps, bowled the 15th over and was promptly dispatched for two sixes over the leg side by Pooran, who reached his fifty in the process. Eventually, Tendulkar was forced off the field, and Naman Dhir had to finish the over, conceding further boundaries—a total of 29 runs coming from the 15th over.
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KL Rahul, playing a supportive role, reached his fifty off 37 balls, setting the stage for a final flourish. Thushara returned to get rid of the rampant Pooran for a thrilling 75 off just 29 balls. MI bowler Arshad Khan, promoted up the order, failed to capitalize, and Rahul fell in the next over, bowled by the unyielding Chawla. Despite being at 178 for six, LSG pushed forward aggressively. Krunal Pandya and young Ayush Badoni combined to steer LSG towards a commendable total of 214 with some critical boundaries in the final few overs.
MI commenced their innings strongly, with openers Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis setting the Wankhede crowd alight. Promoted to open the batting in place of Ishan Kishan, Brevis contributed a modest 23 runs to an opening partnership overshadowed by Rohit’s blitz. The experienced Sharma raced to his fifty off just 28 balls, employing some powerful lofted shots that dominated the Powerplay overs.
The opening stand, which produced a promising 88 runs in a little over eight overs, was disrupted by the fall of Brevis, which also signaled a pivotal momentum shift. The ensuing overs saw MI losing crucial wickets, with Suryakumar Yadav falling for a modest score and Rohit’s dismissal for a robust 68 off Ravi Bishnoi, caught at short third-man.
From there, MI’s innings stuttered as LSG’s spinners took control. Krunal Pandya’s spell, particularly, was instrumental in tightening the noose, his figures of one for 29 in four overs proving immensely valuable. Ravi Bishnoi also chipped in significantly, ending with figures of two for 37.
MI’s lower order, despite their efforts, couldn’t bridge the significant gap created by the climbing net run rate. Youngster Naman Dhir showcased some resilience, reaching a fifty off the last over of the match with a six off Naveen-ul-Haq. Dhir’s unbeaten 62 off 28 balls was a valiant effort, but with MI requiring 34 off the last over, the task proved insurmountable.
In the end, LSG’s holistic team effort shone through, with key contributions from all their bowlers. The victory not only highlighted their strategic prowess but also ended their 2024 IPL season on a positive note, leaving the fans with unforgettable moments and a promising outlook for the next season.