When Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma were adding 90 for the first wicket in just 58 balls, it seemed as though Mumbai would chase down 178 at a canter. But once both fell in the space in ten balls, the Lucknow Super Giants’ bowlers tightened the noose. Ultimately, it was Marcus Stoinis’ power-packed 47-ball 89 that turned out to be the difference, as Lucknow took a giant stride towards a playoff spot. Here are our takeaways from another last-over thriller.
Mohsin’s comeback gathers pace
He was one of the finds of the IPL in 2022. His left-arm pace had pushed batters into awkward positions. In fact, he was among the fastest bowlers in the competition last year. Then came the injury. Mohsin Khan was not seen for quite some time. The bowler from Uttar Pradesh chose the right time to bounce back. Not as quick as he used to be, he had to rely a lot on intelligence. That last over, with just 11 to defend, was impeccably planned. He bowled yorkers and did not err in length. Had he done so, and either Tim David or Cameron Green had connected with one, it would have been two points to Mumbai Indians, and zero for Lucknow Super Giants. Mohsin got his team those points.
Stoinis the showstopper
This was, most definitely, Marcus Stoinis’ match. Everybody said that this was not an easy pitch to bat on. And so it seemed in the initial phase of the innings when Lucknow were batting. Even Stoinis was finding it difficult to connect. But when he started to do so, it was with telling effect. A big, muscular hitter, he usually clears a big distance when he hits the ball. This was his day. Most of the eight sixes he clobbered were hit straight down the ground. This was maddening for Mumbai, as Lucknow posted a total that seemed unlikely at one stage. Credit goes also to Krunal Pandya, who played a captain’s knock. His partnership with Stoinis helped Lucknow take a giant step towards the playoffs.
Also Read: Marcus Stoinis and his Super Giant Show in Lucknow
Jordan’s costly over
What did you do, Chris Jordan? That 18th over which cost 24 runs changed the match and made the ultimate difference. Stoinis was in murderous touch alright, but Jofra Archer’s replacement just kept fumbling when it came to the right length or line. The yorkers he attempted ended up being full tosses. Then he tried to alter the length and bowled too short. On a sluggish sort of a pitch, those were gifts for a batter like Stoinis who was going all guns blazing. An individual should not be singled out for the defeat of his or her team in a game like cricket. But that Jordan over proved the difference between victory and defeat.
Spin to the fore
Reliance on spin paid Lucknow big dividends in this match. Krunal and Ravi Bishnoi, their leg-spinner, did not return eye-catching figures, but did the job and very well at that. The eight overs they bowled between them went for 53 runs and got the team two wickets. This was crucial because Mumbai had got off to a fantastic start thanks to Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Krunal and Bishnoi did not let them run away with the game, which had seemed a possibility around the 10-over mark. Bishnoi relied more on his googlies and kept a flat trajectory. Not a great turner of the ball, Krunal also maintained a trajectory which made it difficult for the batters to get under the ball.
Also Read: Delhi Play For Pride As Punjab Eye Playoffs