As Lucknow Super Giants defeated Punjab Kings by 56 runs in a high-scoring match in Mohali on Friday after compiling the second-highest total in IPL history, Marcus Stoinis and Kyle Mayers displayed their power-hitting prowess. Forcing Lucknow Super Giants to 257 for five against a careless Punjab Kings was a nasty hitting display from Mayers (54 off 24) and Stoinis (72 off 40).
Punjab remained behind in the game despite scoring at a respectable rate to reach 201 in 19.5 overs, needing roughly 13 runs per over to pull off an unlikely chase.
LSG had won five of the previous eight games, while Punjab Kings had dropped four of those contests. Punjab was scoring at more than 10 runs per over when they reached 152 for 4 in 15 overs, but even Livingstone and Sam Curran (21 off 11) were unable to complete the task of adding 106 runs in the final 30 balls.
It was the highest total of the season in addition to being the second-highest total in IPL history.
Prior to Stoinis 40 simply collecting boundaries at will to assist his side in setting a lofty goal, Mayers went on the rampage in the Powerplay. Ayush Badoni (43 off 24) and Nicholas Pooran (45 off 19) made other significant contributions. Dhawan chose to play when Punjab was back in the lead after three games, but his bowlers were all over the place on a belter of a track.
All six of the other bowlers, with the exception of Rahul Chahar, allowed more than 10 runs per over. Arshdeep Singh, who is often thrifty, let up 54 runs in four overs, and Kagiso Rabada gave up 52 runs in four overs despite taking two wickets.The total was also the highest of the year and fell six runs short of 263, which was set by RCB in 2013 when Chris Gayle played his historic 175-run performance to set an IPL record.
The only batter who was unable to take advantage of the favourable batting conditions was LSG captain K L Rahul (12 off 9). He was dropped by newcomer Gurnoor Brar on the first pitch of the game, but he was unable to capitalise.
As he smashed Arshdeep for four boundaries in his first over, Mayers appeared menacingly tough from the start. He got things going with a beautiful drive through point and then used his long levers to hit the long on and deep mid-wicket areas, scoring seven fours and four sixes in total.He moved forward a few steps to knock Rabada slightly over his head because of his confidence.Stoinis and Badoni collaborated on an 89-run stand off only 47 balls to continue the momentum started by Mayers after he was knocked out during the Powerplay.Stoinis’ ferocious knock, which featured five sixes and a half-dozen boundaries, featured some breath-taking strokes.
Liam Livingstone touched the boundary while attempting to take a legal catch at long on, preventing Stoinis from being dismissed in the 13th over. Pooran started his inning by hitting three consecutive off drives off Livingstone. Off of the final 30 balls, LSG scored 73 runs.
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