On Tuesday (May 16), Lucknow Super Giants defeated Mumbai Indians in an exciting match because of a spectacular performance from Marcus Stoinis and an outstanding effort from the home team’s bowlers in the end. At the midway point, MI were coasting to victory as Stoinis hammered his biggest IPL score to propel LSG to 177. But LSG managed a thrilling comeback at the very end, driven by Mohsin Khan, to win the playoff match by a slim margin of five runs.
The powerplay match is won by MI
MI won the powerplay with both bat and ball to seize the initiative in the first of both innings. The early damage was done by Jason Behrondorff with the ball as Deepak Hooda, who was making his season debut, fell for another single-digit score. While Prerak Mankad, the star of the previous game, edged the opening ball behind as Behrendorff picked up two wickets in two balls, Hooda, who had already been granted a reprieve, failed to cash in and played an ugly shot to death. By the end of the powerplay, LSG had finally sputtered to only 35. Additionally, they were dealt another setback when Quinton de Kock pushed Piyush Chawla behind on the first ball following the powerplay.
Ishan Kishan provided his side with a quick start with the bat after that. On a challenging surface, MI needed a strong start to their chase of 178, and the left-hander delivered them one by engaging the opposition very early. Soon after, Rohit Sharma joined the fun by challenging Yash Thakur and Naveen-ul-Haq to a six apiece. If Ravi Bishnoi had recognized a catching opportunity in the last over of the powerplay, he might have been out, but the respite allowed MI to score 58 runs.
The act of rescuing
The senior trio of Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, and Nicholas Pooran had to step up for LSG at 35/3 and lead them to a competitive total. After the powerplay, Krunal and Stoinis spearheaded the rescue effort with a productive combination that helped LSG reach 68/3 at the midway point. They scored 33 runs in four overs. Then, after 14 overs, LSG reached 100 to set the stage. Krunal picked up a googly from Chawla and smacked him right down the ground for a six. Stoinis continued to play well at the other end.
So how did they come up with 177?
Super Giants only had to look to one man for the results they received. With four overs left in the innings, injured Krunal made the decision to leave to allow Pooran to take over at the end. However, Stoinis took over as he went completely berserk to destroy MI. He destroyed Chris Jordan in the 18th over, scoring 24 runs off of him, and then stunned the opposition with back-to-back sixes in the next over. He also put LSG in front by hitting a six off the final ball to end the innings on a positive note and set a new IPL record for himself.
How did MI perform following the PP?
Ishan and Rohit both continued on. As the openers contributed 90 for the first wicket to set the stage, Rohit delivered one of his best seasons’ work. In his failed attempt to clear the fielder at long-on, Rohit perished, but Ishan showed great awareness the entire time he was at the other end, cruising to a fifty. Ishan was sure not to try to clear the lengthier borders while he targeted them. He attempted to hit fours instead in the enormous expanses between the fielders stationed at deep. When Ishan mistimed one after reaching his fifty, putting the onus on the MI middle order, Bishnoi once more came to LSG’s aid.
Did they follow through?
LSG applied the squeeze by allowing MI to score only four runs in two overs after removing Ishan, which increased the necessary rate. Suryakumar Yadav failed to complete his ramp and ended up slamming the ball against his stumps, giving the home team a crucial lead. That was followed by Mohsin getting rid of Nehal Wadhera in order to entirely shift the pressure on MI. MI needed 39 points in the final three overs to win.
The exciting conclusion
Tim David was under intense pressure after a string of wickets allowed LSG to retake the lead in the match. While he did beat LSG to 15 off 10, Yash Thakur maintained LSG’s advantage by eliminating Vishnu Vinod as the equation was reduced to 30 from 12. In Naveen’s final over, David smashed a few sixes and was also helped by a no-ball that resulted in four further runs, tipping the scales in MI’s favor. When it counted most, Mohsin once again delivered, preventing MI from scoring the 11 runs off the final six balls. David and Cameron Green were both limited to singles throughout the entire over as LSG maintained their composure to secure a fantastic victory.
What will these two sides do next?
First off, despite what transpired tonight, they are both still in the postseason hunt. The significant distinction is that LSG control their own destiny. They will advance if they win their last league game. To help them advance, MI will need to win their last game and hope that one of CSK, RCB, or PBKS loses at least one match.