PBKS vs LSG Review – Lucknow enjoy a run-feast at Punjab’s expense
The Indian Premier League 2023 continued its breathtaking action on Friday, April 28 as Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants got head-to-head against each other at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. Punjab captain Shikhar Dhawan won the toss and elected to field first.
Lucknow happily accepted the invitation to bat first as they posted the second-highest team total in the history of IPL, finishing their innings on 257/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Kyle Mayers (54 off 24), Ayush Badoni (43 off 24), Marcus Stoinis (72 off 40), and Nicholas Pooran (45 off 19) all came to the party for LSG as they completely ripped apart Punjab’s bowling.
In reply, Punjab got off to the worst possible start as they lost their captain Shikhar Dhawan in the first over itself. They further lost Parbhsimran Singh in the fourth over to make matters worse for them. However, Atharva Taide (66 off 36) and Sikandar Raza (36 off 22) added 78 runs off 47 to keep their side in the hunt. However, the required rate kept climbing after their dismissal, and the incoming batters had a huge mountain to climb.
As a result, they were bundled out for 201 in 19.5 overs with Yash Thakur (4/37 in 3.5 overs) and Naveen-ul-Haq (3/30 in 4 overs) setting up a 56-run victory for Lucknow Super Giants.
Top Performers of the Match
Kyle Mayers
The West Indian opener got LSG’s innings off to a flying start as he brought up his half-century in just 20 balls. Mayers set the tone for the rest of the innings with his knock of 54 off 24 balls smashing seven fours and four sixes in his innings.
Marcus Stoinis
The all-rounder top-scored for his side as he played a scintillating knock of 72 off 40 balls with the help of six fours and five sixes in his innings. Stoinis even picked up the prized scalp of Shikhar Dhawan in the second innings before being taken off the field after he injured his finger.
Atharva Taide
The 23-year-old was the lone warrior in Punjab’s chase with his knock of 66 off 36 balls. Taide smacked eight fours and two sixes in the innings and tried his best to keep his side in the hunt during their chase.
Yash Thakur
The 24-year-old seamer was the pick of the bowlers for LSG as he scalped 4 for 37 in 3.5 overs. Thakur dismissed Sikandar Raza, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Chahar to claim a four-wicket haul.
What’s next for both teams?
After coming back on the winning track, LSG will look to continue their winning momentum as they face Royal Challengers Bangalore for the second time in the season on Monday, May 1 in Lucknow. On the other hand, Punjab will next lock horns with Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, April 30 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
