Opting to bat first, LSG benefited from a late onslaught by Krunal Pandya, who hammered a quickfire 43 off just 22 balls, propelling the team to a competitive total of 199/8.Quinton de Kock led the batting charge with a brisk 54 off 38 balls, while Nicholas Pooran’s aggressive 42 off 21 balls injected vitality into the innings during the middle overs.
Krunal’s aggressive innings, peppered with two sixes and four boundaries, at a strike rate of 200, provided LSG with a crucial cushion. LSG’s total proved to be sufficient as Mayank’s exceptional bowling performance guided LSG to their first victory of this IPL season, restricting Punjab Kings to 178/5.
The absence of Liam Livingstone, who couldn’t bat at No.4 due to injury, further hindered Punjab’s chase.
Mayank’s express pace proved to be the decisive factor, troubling PBKS batsmen, including Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma. Clocking consistently above 150 kmph, Mayank emerged as the hero of the night.
Earlier, Punjab’s aggressive start, led by the dynamic duo of Shikhar Dhawan (70 off 50 balls) and Bairstow (42 off 29 balls), hinted at a formidable chase. Dhawan’s audacious reverse sweep off M Siddharth showcased the visitors’ attacking intent, as they raced to 61 for no loss in the powerplay, with Dhawan reaching his fifty with a maximum off Ravi Bishnoi.
Bairstow showcased his aggressive prowess by launching two consecutive sixes off Krunala’s bowling, propelling the visitors past the 100-run mark in the 11th over. However, Bishnoi’s economical 11th over applied the brakes on scoring momentum, compelling Bairstow to target Mayank, resulting in his dismissal and the rookie pacer’s maiden IPL wicket.
Prabhsimran contributed a brisk 19 off just seven balls before falling prey to Mayank’s pace. Despite Dhawan’s valiant efforts to anchor PBKS innings, the team struggled to keep up with the required run rate, leading to Dhawan’s eventual dismissal under pressure, followed by Jitesh’s inability to handle Mayank’s pace.
Earlier in the match, De Kock kickstarted LSG’s innings with a boundary through mid-off, setting a positive tone. Playing as an impact player, KL Rahul’s attempt to flick Kagiso Rabada behind square on the leg-side was fortunate as a diving Harshal Patel couldn’t manage to catch the ball.
Meanwhile, De Kock displayed his batting skills by hitting Rabada for a boundary and a six off consecutive deliveries. Rahul showcased his aggressive intent by dispatching Arshdeep Singh for a maximum, but soon fell victim to the bowler, caught by Bairstow.
Padikkal contributed with two boundaries before falling to Sam Curran, while Stoinis added two sixes before being dismissed by Rahul Chahar. Stand-in skipper Pooran’s arrival injected momentum into LSG’s innings with a blistering over, featuring two sixes and a four off Chahar.
De Kock reached his fifty in 34 balls but was dismissed shortly after the strategic timeout, giving PBKS a much-needed breakthrough. Pooran continued to score briskly until he fell victim to Rabada.
Krunal wasted no time in settling down, hitting a maximum off Rabada, while Curran’s tight bowling in the 17th over momentarily halted LSG’s charge. However, Krunal’s flurry of boundaries provided the final flourish to LSG innings.
(With PTI inputs)
Source Agencies
