In an electrifying conclusion to their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) delivered a memorable performance by defeating the Mumbai Indians (MI) with an 18-run victory at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The gripping encounter saw LSG rise to the occasion, ensuring they ended their season on a high note.
The day commenced with excitement buzzing around as the Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to bowl first. This decision brought a few strategic adjustments to Mumbai’s lineup, the most notable being the inclusion of Arjun Tendulkar in place of the seasoned Jasprit Bumrah. As LSG took to the field, their innings unfolded in contrasting phases over the course of 20 overs.
Initial struggles marked the first half of LSG’s innings as Mumbai’s bowling attack kept a tight leash on their scoring. LSG faced challenges in building momentum, with wickets falling at regular intervals thanks to MI’s disciplined bowling. As the halfway mark approached, LSG found themselves in a precarious position, relying heavily on Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul to stabilize and reignite their innings towards a defendable total.
The start was rocky for LSG as Devdutt Padikkal, promoted to open, was dismissed leg-before by Nuwan Thushara in the very first over. Marcus Stoinis, however, looked promising, racing to 28 runs off 22 balls, punctuated by five boundaries. But his innings ended abruptly when Piyush Chawla trapped him leg-before off the final delivery of the powerplay. Chawla continued to exert pressure, drawing an edge from Deepak Hooda that was comfortably taken by Nehal Wadhera at point. Post the first 10 overs, LSG stood at a tentative 69 for three when Nicholas Pooran stepped onto the crease.
Initially reserved, Pooran introduced himself with three consecutive dot balls. What followed was explosive. Building on from this cautious start, Pooran showcased his remarkable ability to turn the tides, reaching his fifty in just 19 deliveries, thanks to his aggressive and impeccable shot selections. His innings saw the ball whizzing past square boundaries with precision, thanks to his powerful horizontal bat shots.
In an unforgettable display of power-hitting, the 13th over went for a whopping 22 runs, courtesy Pooran’s two mighty sixes. As Arjun Tendulkar bowled the 15th over, already troubled by cramps, he was dispatched over the leg-side for two sixes that completed Pooran’s blazing fifty.
. Unfortunately, Tendulkar’s physical struggles forced him off the field, and Naman Dhir had to complete the over. Pooran didn’t let up, hitting Dhir for another six and a four – leading the over to fetch a staggering 29 runs.
KL Rahul also shone, reaching his fifty off 37 deliveries. Even as Thushara’s return saw the dismissal of Pooran for a blazing 75 off 29 balls, Rahul remained the lynchpin, sustaining LSG’s innings. Although Arshad Khan ascended in the batting order, his contribution was brief, and he perished quickly. Piyush Chawla continued his excellent performance by removing Rahul shortly after, adding more drama to the proceedings.
At 178 for six, LSG wasn’t out of the woods yet, but Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni’s calculated finishing took LSG to a formidable 214, with crucial boundaries towards the end of the innings.
In response, MI’s innings launched with style, with captain Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis leading from the front. Brevis, taking Ishan Kishan’s opening spot, played second fiddle as Rohit dominated the early exchanges. Illustrating his prowess, Rohit enthralled the home crowd with an array of exquisite strokes, underscoring the necessity of a strong start in pursuit of a tall target.
Their alliance yielded a valuable 88 runs within just over eight overs, with Rohit contributing significantly, notching up his half-century in merely 28 balls. It was a quintessential performance by the captain, who exploited the fielding restrictions expertly, with several lofted hits over the infield.
Brevis’s dismissal signaled a shift, as MI’s momentum began to wane and LSG capitalized by tightening their grip. Suryakumar Yadav fell victim to Krunal Pandya, caught out in the deep, and the pivotal moment came when Ravi Bishnoi dismissed Rohit for 68 with a sharp catch at short third-man, further derailing MI’s chase.
As the required run rate ballooned, MI’s batters found themselves in a plight against the climbing target. Among the efforts, Naman Dhir offered resistance, registering his half-century in the encounter’s closing stages with a resounding six off Naveen, reaching the milestone in 25 deliveries. Despite the Herculean task of chasing 34 runs in the final over, the team briefly basked in Dhir’s brilliance as he concluded MI’s innings with an unbeaten 62 from 28 balls, striking a six on the last delivery.
LSG’s triumph was a testament to their bowlers’ collective effort, spearheaded by Krunal Pandya, whose economical spell of one for 29 over four overs was critical in stifling MI during the middle overs. Ravi Bishnoi’s contribution of two wickets for 37 runs further fortified their grip, as the spinners, alongside their pace counterparts, executed a game plan that outfoxed the hosts at vital junctures.