Another exciting contest comes to an end as Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by six wickets in the Indian Premier League match on Thursday. Lucknow finished the 211-run chase, which was the fourth-highest in the competition’s history, with three balls to spare. Ayush Badoni, the superstar from Lucknow, hit the winning runs, while Evin Lewis, who also returned unbeaten, played a match-winning 23-ball 55, which featured six 4s and three 6s. The game took a twist in the penultimate over of the Lucknow innings, which Shivam Dube bowled. The medium-pacer conceded 25 runs in the over, leaving rookie Mukesh Choudhary to defend nine runs in his final over.
Meanwhile, Dwayne Bravo created history in the contest as he dismissed Deepak Hooda 13 (8) to become the leading wicket-taker in the tournament’s history. Quinton de Kock also made a vital contribution at the top, scoring 61 off 45 balls before getting out to Dwaine Pretorius. Earlier in the evening, Robin Uthappa and Shivam Dube helped CSK pile 210/7 after being invited to bat first. In response, LSG have got off to a brilliant start with KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, adding 99 runs for the first wicket. Rahul was dismissed on 40 (26).
This is the second instance of CSK allowing their opponents to chase down a 210+ target in IPL history. It is the fourth biggest chase in IPL history. Absence of Deepak Chahar, unproven youngsters and dew all played into Lucknow’s hands even against a seemingly steep target. KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock provided a perfect launchpad and Evin Lewis with the late flourish. Pity it means Robin Uthappa’s knock goes in vain. LSG picks up their first season’s first win while CSK are 0-2 after two matches.
It came down to Super Giants needing 34 from the last two overs. Ravindra Jadeja then handed the ball to Dube, who hadn’t bowled until then. And it showed. Badoni started the over by moving across and sweeping him over square leg for six. The following two deliveries were wides, and the last three were right in the slot for Lewis, who smashed them for 4, 4, 6.
With nine needed from the final over, Mukesh Choudhary also bowled two wides before Badoni pulled him over backward square leg to level the scores. He hit the winning run two balls later to give Super Giants their first win.
Lewis and Hooda kept the chase alive. Both muscled a boundary each off Dwayne Bravo in the 16th over. After getting hit for a six, Pretorius gave away only nine in the 17th, and Bravo sent back Hooda in the 18th. Super Kings might have fancied their chances at that stage, but a 25-run penultimate over by Dube dashed their hopes.
