While climbing a mountain of 213 runs, Lucknow Super Giants found themselves lost at 23-3 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Monday. However, they went on to clinch the last-ball thriller against the home team to earn two crucial points.
RCB posted a par score of 212 runs after fifties from Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell. Kohli and Faf added 96 runs for the opening alliance and then the RCB skipper and Maxwell added 115 runs for the second wicket.
Kohli scored 61 after getting off to a flyer in the PowerPlay overs, scoring 42 out of the 56 they managed in the first six. Faf did struggle with his timing in the early stage of the innings but he was able to change gears. The RCB skipper scored 79 whereas Glenn Maxwell went on to score a blistering knock of 29-ball 59.
On the other hand, LSG could not get off to a good start as they lost three early wickets. However, Marcus Stoinis was able to hit the ground running as he scored 65 runs from 30 balls, smashing six fours and five sixes.
Subsequently, Nicholas Pooran took RCB bowlers to the cleaners and reached his fifty off just 15 balls, the fastest of the ongoing season. The left-hander went on to score 62 runs from 19 balls with the help of four fours and seven sixes, striking at 326.32.
There was last-ball drama as well when Harshal Patel wanted to run out Ravi Bishnoi at the non-striker’s end but missed it.
KL Rahul said in the post-match presentation, “Unbelievable. This is the Chinnaswamy, only venue where so many last-ball finishes are possible. From the position we were in, to end up winning it, is superb. We had to go hard and the ball swung early, and they got 2-3 wickets to put the pressure on us. The only reason we got two points today is for the way the lower order batted.”
On his slow knock of 18 runs from 20 balls, Rahul said, “Not ideal for me, I want to score more runs and get the strike rate up as well. We’ve played on two tough Lucknow wickets, and today we lost 3 wickets so I went slower. I wanted to stay till the end and play with Nicky. Batting 5,6, 7 is the toughest position to play and that’s where games are won and lost. We know about the power in Marcus and Nicky, and Ayush has come along as well. He’s played 2-3 knocks last year, and he’s continued to perform well for us.”
Lucknow Super Giants will take on Punjab Kings on Saturday at their home venue in Lucknow.
