Thakur & Pooran Lead the Charge! LSG Tame Sunrisers
There was talk all over about Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) potentially smashing the first-ever 300 score in the IPL? That hype cooled down in their clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)! LSG flipped the script, putting the brakes on SRH's feared batting lineup before chasing down the target with remarkable ease.
Shardul Puts the Brakes
Despite missing key bowlers, LSG knew early wickets were crucial against SRH's explosive batters. Enter Shardul Thakur. While his first over didn't yield much, his second was pure gold. He snagged Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan off back-to-back deliveries, instantly putting SRH under pressure. Thakur finished with his best-ever IPL figures of 4 for 34, playing a massive role in keeping SRH under 200.
SRH Attack, But Keep Losing Wickets
Even with early setbacks, SRH stuck to their aggressive game plan. Travis Head started well before falling, and cameos from Aniket Verma (36 off 13) and skipper Pat Cummins (hitting his first three balls for six) kept the scoreboard ticking. However, wickets tumbled regularly – including a rather strange run-out involving Heinrich Klaasen – preventing SRH from building unstoppable momentum. They only managed 190 for 9, fizzling out in the final overs.
Pooran Makes Mockery of the Chase
Chasing 191 can be tricky, but Nicholas Pooran made it look like child's play. He went absolutely berserk, smashing 70 runs off a mere 26 balls, including six fours and six massive sixes. He was particularly brutal on SRH's spinners, effectively ending the contest long before he was eventually dismissed.
LSG Cruise Home
While Pooran took the limelight, Mitchell Marsh played a solid supporting role with a well-made fifty. By the time Pooran departed, LSG needed just 71 runs from nearly 11 overs. Despite losing a couple more wickets, the result was never really in doubt, and Abdul Samad hit the winning runs. LSG cruised home with 23 balls and five wickets still in the shed.
