LSG vs GT Review – Lucknow stumble in the final over as Gujarat pick up a win
Gujarat Titans recorded a stunning comeback win against Lucknow Super Giants in the 30th match of IPL 2023 on April 22. Hardik Pandya recorded his first fifty of this season but Gujarat managed to score just 135/6 while batting first. Then KL Rahul played a captain’s knock to guide the LSG team closer to the target but Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma’s death-bowling heroics secured the game for Gujarat Titans.
Hardik won the toss and elected to bat first in Lucknow. Wriddhiman Saha gave the Titans a flying start but Shubman Gill was done for a duck. Hardik (66 off 50) joined Saha (47 off 37) in the middle and the duo added 68 runs for the second wicket. However, they were not able to maintain an aggressive approach against Lucknow’s impressive bowling attack. Marcus Stoinis and Krunal Pandya took two wickets each while Ravi Bishnoi proved costly without any success.
Chasing 136, Rahul and Kyle Mayers produced another good start, smashing 50-plus total in powerplay overs but Rashid Khan gave Gujarat an opening in the seventh over with Mayers’ wicket. Rahul and Krunal then added a 51-run stand for the second wicket to put LSG in the driving seat before Noor balanced the game with valuable wickets of Krunal and Nicholas Pooran as Gujarat Titans bowlers made a stunning.
Rahul struggled for the big shots as Lucknow struggled to accelerate innings in the last stages. Mohammed Shami conceded just five runs when Lucknow needed 17 runs off the last 12 balls. In the last over, Mohit Sharma dismissed Rahul and Stoinis on the back-to-back deliveries while defending 12 as LSG fell seven short.
Top performers from the match
Noor Ahmad: Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma stole the show with spells in the death over but Noor made a big impact with two much-needed breakthroughs of Krunal and Pooran while conceding just 18 runs off his four-over spell.
Hardik Pandya:
Gujarat Titans skipper ended his poor run of form by recording his first fifty in IPL 2023. Hardik promoted himself to the no.3 position and scored 66 off 50 with the help of two fours and four sixes on a challenging and tacky Lucknow pitch.
What’s next for both teams?
Gujarat Titans next face high-flying Mumbai Indians at home on April 25 while Lucknow Super Giants travel to Mohali to take on Punjab Kings on April 28.
