The Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants engaged in a fierce battle at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai during the 39th game of the IPL 2024. Choosing to bat first, CSK had an outstanding performance, amassing an impressive 210 runs. Even after Rahane and Mitchell were fired in the first game, the team showed tenacity.
With a spectacular century, his second in the IPL, Ruturaj Gaikwad stole the stage, smashing 108* off 60 balls with 12 boundaries and three sixes. Jadeja’s promotion didn’t go as planned, but Dube and Gaikwad’s aggressive batting won the match for CSK. Dube gave CSK’s innings much-needed momentum with his brilliant 66 off 27 balls, which included seven sixes.
Also read: IPL 2024: Lucknow Super Giants 2nd innings highlights against CSK in Match 39
Marcus Stoinis of Lucknow made a remarkable 124* off 63 balls, which included 13 fours and six sixes, to keep the chase alive. With three balls left, Stoinis’ outstanding effort helped LSG defeat CSK by six wickets in an exciting match. Nicholas Pooran, who scored an explosive 34 off 15 balls and was LSG’s second-highest scorer of the innings, further illustrated the significance of Stoinis’s innings on the outcome of the game.
The losing skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, said:
Tough pill to swallow, but good game of cricket. LSG played really well in the back end. We had the game in control till 13-14 overs, but Stoinis played a great innings. (On dew) It played a part, there was a huge amount of dew and it took our spinners out of the game. We could have otherwise controlled the game better and taken it deeper. But these are parts of the game, can’t control it. Jaddu is batting at number 4 since we lost the second wicket within the powerplay.
(On Dube’s entry point) Our thinking is clear that after the powerplay if there is a wicket, Shivam will come out to bat. We can’t force batters to get out after. To be honest, I thought our target wasn’t enough, it was just about par because of the dew we’ve seen during our practice sessions. But credit to the way LSG batted.
Winning skipper KL Rahul said:
Very special, especially when it’s a game like that. We were way behind the game when we were batting so it was very special to pull it off. It was a fresh start, both teams started off at 0. Different conditions here. I think they started off really well and put us under pressure. 170-180 would’ve been a great total here but they batted really well. Full credit to Stoinis. It was not just power hitting, it was very clever batting. He picked his bowlers and played very well. (On sending Stoinis at 3) We felt like we needed to be braver and capitalize the powerplay and needed 1 power-hitter in the top-3.
I’ve realized that T20 cricket has changed in the past couple of years, 170-180 doesn’t always cut it. You need to go harder in the powerplay and the impact player rule also gives you a bit more depth. (On the change to his own batting) Haven’t played much T20 cricket so happy that it’s coming off. There’s no set plan, apart from the openers, everyone else is ready to go out whenever we feel it’s right. We’re going to keep it flexible. (On his catch earlier) Not bad, not bad… I hope I get the catch of the tournament award (smiles), I was just being modest.
Player of the Match Marcus Stoinis said:
In these competitions, there are plenty of better opening batters better than me so I’ll leave it to them. It’s not just go go go, there were some bowlers we wanted to target and some bowlers we wanted to be more cautious against. There was a phase where I wasn’t able to hit the boundaries so it was great Pooran could come in and take the pressure off. Lots of ebbs and flows, just tried to keep it in control. You’re planning and structuring, you’re not liking certain bowlers and you’re liking others more.
I do think T20 cricket is changing, the scores that have been scored, the impact player role and how teams are taking on the bowlers. I’ve got a great relationship with the coach (Australian Head coach), me not getting a contract, I knew that long ago. It’s great to let the kids come in and get an opportunity, I’m happy to let them take my spot. But on the playing front, I’d like to play and contribute.
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