Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) put on a batting masterclass as they scored a whopping 257 for 5, the second-highest total in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL), against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 38 of IPL 2023 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Friday.
KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock give LSG a flying start
LSG captain KL Rahul won the toss and decided to bat first on a flat pitch and a small ground. He led by example as he opened the innings with Quinton de Kock and gave his team a flying start. The pair took full advantage of the powerplay overs and scored 72 runs without losing any wicket.
Rahul was in sublime form as he played shots all around the ground. He reached his fifty off just 24 balls and continued to dominate the PBKS bowlers. De Kock was also aggressive and matched Rahul stroke for stroke. He hit six fours and a six in his 25-ball 45.
The duo brought up their century partnership in just 8.2 overs, before de Kock was caught by Liam Livingstone off Nathan Ellis. However, that did not slow down LSG’s scoring rate as Marcus Stoinis joined Rahul and kept the momentum going.
Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran take LSG past 200
Rahul and Stoinis added 57 runs in just 4.4 overs, with both batsmen hitting some massive sixes. Rahul was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 72 off 36 balls, which included 10 fours and four sixes. He fell to Arshdeep Singh, who took a stunning catch off his own bowling.
Nicholas Pooran came in at number four and showed his class with some clean hitting. He and Stoinis shared a 97-run stand for the third wicket in just 6.2 overs, taking LSG past the 200-run mark. Pooran scored a quickfire 32 off 13 balls, with three fours and three sixes, before he was caught by Matthew Short off Harpreet Brar.
Stoinis, meanwhile, was unstoppable as he reached his fifty off just 22 balls and then accelerated further. He hit seven fours and eight sixes in his unbeaten 87 off 34 balls, which was the highest individual score by any LSG batsman in IPL history.
Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni also played some cameo knocks towards the end and added 36 runs in the last two overs. LSG finished with a mammoth 257 for 5, the second-highest total in IPL history after Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 263 for 5 against Pune Warriors India in 2013.
Avesh Khan leads LAGs bowling attack as PBKS crumble
PBKS were never in the hunt as they lost wickets at regular intervals and could not keep up with the required run rate. None of their batsmen could cross fifty, as they were bowled out for 201 in 19.5 overs.
Atharva Taide top-scored for PBKS with a valiant 46 off 28 balls, but he did not get much support from the other end. Matthew Short scored 32 off 21 balls, while Sam Curran scored a breezy 28 off 11 balls.
Avesh Khan was the star performer for LSG with the ball, taking four wickets for 32 runs in his four overs. He dismissed Taide, Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma and Shahrukh Khan to dent PBKS’s chase. Ravi Bishnoi and Naveen-ul-Haq also bowled well and picked up two wickets each.
LSG won the match by a huge margin of 56 runs and moved to the third spot in the points table with 10 points from eight matches. PBKS remained at the seventh position with eight points from eight matches.
LSG’s total of 257 was also the highest score by any team against PBKS in IPL history, surpassing Chennai Super Kings’ 240 for 5 in 2008.
KL Rahul wins Player of the match award for his splendid knock and captaincy
KL Rahul was adjudged the player of the match for his splendid knock and captaincy. He said that he was happy with his team’s performance and praised Stoinis for his sensational innings.
He also thanked the fans for their support and said that he hoped to continue the winning momentum in the upcoming matches.
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