8 Apr at 6:58 am

LSG vs GT IPL 2024, Match 21th Highlights | Lucknow Super Giants Outclass Gujarat Titans in a Bowling Masterclass

Lucknow Super Giants 3rd consecutive win this IPL 2024 | © iplt20.com

The Lucknow Super Giants continued their impressive run in IPL 2024 with a convincing 33-run victory over the Gujarat Titans in a pulsating match at the Ekana Sports City in Lucknow. Let’s explore key moments that unfolded throughout the contest.

LSG Strike Early, But Stoinis Provides Stability

Lucknow, after winning the toss, opted to bat first. However, their innings didn’t quite reach the flying start they might have envisioned. Openers Quinton de Kock and Devdutt Padikkal fell cheaply to Umesh Yadav’s fiery pace bowling, leaving LSG reeling at 18 for 2. It brought together the experienced KL Rahul and the in-form Marcus Stoinis at the crease.

The duo played cautiously at first, rebuilding the innings with sensible shot selection and rotating the strike effectively. They weren’t afraid to punish loose deliveries, with Rahul smashing three boundaries off spinner Darshan Nalkande in the 12th over. Just as it seemed they were laying a solid platform for a big total, Rahul miscued a shot and was caught at long-on, departing for a well-made 33.

Pooran and Badoni Add Late Flourish

Stoinis, however, continued his anchoring role, reaching a well-deserved fifty off just 40 balls. Unfortunately, his dismissal trying to clear the long-on boundary halted LSG’s momentum again. With two new batters at the crease and just a few overs remaining, the pressure was on for Lucknow to post a competitive total.

Nicholas Pooran and the young Ayush Badoni rose to the occasion, adding some much-needed impetus to the innings. They took boundaries off Mohit Sharma in the 18th over, easing the pressure and taking LSG past the 160-run mark. While Badoni fell soon after, Pooran finished with an unbeaten 32, including a towering six off Rashid Khan in the final over, helping LSG set a target of 164 runs.

Titans Start Strong But Collapse Dramatically

Gujarat Titans began their chase with positive intent. Openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan looked comfortable at the crease, stitching together a fifty-run partnership within the powerplay. However, the tide turned dramatically soon after. Gill’s departure on the final ball of the powerplay triggered a catastrophic batting collapse for the Titans.

Yash Thakur Takes Center Stage

Young pacer Yash Thakur became the wrecker-in-chief for Lucknow, bowling a fiery spell that ripped through the GT batting line-up. He dismissed the dangerous Kane Williamson with a stunning caught-and-bowled effort, ultimately shifting the momentum in LSG’s favor.

The spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi also played a crucial role, picking up wickets at regular intervals and stifling any hopes of a GT revival. Rahul Tewatia provided some late resistance with a quickfire 30. Still, it was not enough as Thakur completed a magnificent five-wicket haul (5/30) to skittle out the Titans for just 130 runs, securing a comfortable victory for Lucknow.

LSG Move Up the Points Table

This win was a complete team performance for the Lucknow Super Giants. While their batting wasn’t entirely fluent, they managed to put up a defendable total thanks to Stoinis’ fifty and some late hitting from Pooran and Badoni. More importantly, spearheaded by the exceptional Thakur, their bowling attack displayed remarkable discipline and accuracy to dismantle a strong GT batting line-up. The absence of their pace spearhead, Mayank Yadav, due to injury was a concern, but the emergence of young guns like Thakur proves the team’s strength in depth.

This victory propels Lucknow Super Giants into the top half of the IPL 2024 points table. They will approach the upcoming matches with assurance, aiming to extend their current streak of victories. On the other hand, the Gujarat Titans will need to go back to the drawing board and address their batting frailties, especially when under pressure.