Lucknow, Apr 20:
In a high-octane clash at Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium, Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul orchestrated the win, guiding Lucknow Super Giants to an emphatic eight-wicket victory with six balls to spare against defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 34th match of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
The pair’s 134-run partnership was instrumental in LSG’s successful run chase, evoking memories of their outstanding performance in the 2022 IPL season, where they amassed a memorable 210-run partnership.’
Openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock produced a chasing masterclass on a slow pitch to power Lucknow Super Giants to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL match.Guilty of not capitalising on his starts, Rahul finally lived up to the expectations, smashing nine fours and three sixes in his 53-ball knock, while de Kock overcame a scratchy start to hit five fours and a six in his 43-ball knock.
Rahul’s innings was a masterclass in batting, as he effortlessly found the boundaries, hitting nine fours and three sixes in his 53-ball 82-run knock. His innings anchored the chase and played a pivotal role in steering LSG towards victory.
A one-handed catch from Jadeja finally ended Rahul’s fabulous knock but it was too late.
Asked to bat first, Ravindra Jadeja came up with a solid unbeaten 57 before Moeen Ali (30 off 20) and MS Dhoni (28 off 9) went on a six-hitting spree to take CSK to a fighting 176/6.
Following the dismissal of the openers, Nicholas Pooran (23*) and Marcus Stoinis (8*) ensured a smooth finish, guiding LSG past the finish line without further setbacks. Pooran’s boundary off a free hit sealed the deal, putting the finishing touches on LSG’s impressive chase.
Earlier, CSK had set a competitive target of 176 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja (57*) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (28*) leading the charge with crucial innings.
LSG’s bowling unit put in a disciplined performance, with Krunal Pandya spearheading the attack, claiming two wickets for 16 runs. Marcus Stoinis, Yash Thakur, Mohsin Khan, and Ravi Bishnoi chipped in with a wicket each to curtail CSK’s scoring.
The match was a visual treat for the 50,000-strong spectators, witnessing stellar performances from both teams. While Dhoni’s big hits entertained the fans, it was LSG’s day as they secured a vital victory, boosting their confidence in the IPL campaign.
With this win, LSG continues their climb up the IPL points table, while CSK will be looking to bounce back in their upcoming matches. As the IPL 2024 season progresses, fans can anticipate more thrilling encounters as teams battle it out for the coveted title.
