In a thrilling encounter at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Marcus Stoinis’ sensational unbeaten century led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to a six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Despite a solid start for CSK, with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 108 runs, Stoinis’ brilliant innings, supported by Nicholas Pooran’s quick-fire 34, ultimately sealed the win for LSG.
After Chennai posted a competitive total of 210 for four, thanks to Gaikwad’s masterful knock, LSG’s chase got off to a shaky start with Deepak Chahar dismissing Quinton de Kock early on. However, Stoinis took charge, showcasing controlled aggression and precision in selecting his targets. He formed a crucial partnership with Nicholas Pooran, who provided vital momentum with his trademark shots, adding 70 runs off just 34 balls for the fourth wicket.
Earlier, Ruturaj Gaikwad showcased his exceptional talent on a tricky pitch. He displayed his driving prowess in the PowerPlay, amassing six boundaries. Later, he unleashed his power-hitting capabilities with impressive pulls and lofted shots. His efforts were complemented by Shivam Dube’s explosive knock of 66 runs off just 27 balls, including three fours and seven sixes. The duo added 104 runs for the fourth wicket in just 47 balls, propelling CSK to 125 runs in the last ten overs.
However, Stoinis’ brilliance proved too much for CSK to handle. He took down Mustafizur Rahman for a maximum over long-on and collected a hat-trick of boundaries in the final over to seal the chase in style. His innings showcased his all-around talent and ability to adapt to different situations.
This victory marks LSG’s second win over CSK in four days, highlighting their growing strength as they aim to make a mark in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
