IPL 2023, PBKS vs LSG: Punjab Kings posted 201 on the board but still lost the big tie at home on Friday, April 28 by 57 runs as Lucknow Super Giants came up with an all-round effort after posting the 2nd-highest total in the history of the tournament.
Lucknow Super Giants defeated Punjab Kings by 57 runs in Mohali after a demolition job by their batters on Friday. LSG smashed 257 for 5 off their 20 overs, the second-highest team total in IPL history thanks to a stunning half-century from Marcus Stoinis, Kyle Mayers and brilliant knocks from Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni.
LSG have often come under scrutiny this season for lack of a more aggressive approach from their batters. On Friday, after KL Rahul failed on a batting paradise, the rest of his teammates made sure they hit boundaries and sixes at will. Just 6 days back, LSG had failed to chase down 136 against defending champions Gujarat Titans and KL Rahul who scored 68 off 61 balls, had no way of explaining that defeat.
On Friday, the LSG approach had changed. They became the second team after RCB to post a 250+ total in the IPL. They posted the highest IPL total in Mohali. And all that happened because LSG’s batters did not want to waste any opportunity to score runs against a bowling attack clearly deflated with the early onslaught from Kyle Mayers.
LSG moved to the 2nd spot, leapfrogging Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings on the IPL 2023 points table after clinching their 5th win of the season in 8 matches.
IPL 2023: Points Table
Chasing a daunting 258, PBKS got off to a horror start. Shikhar Dhawan returned to the field for PBKS after 15 days and he fell to Marcus Stoinis in the first over of the innings. Prabhsimran Singh was sent back by Naveen-ul-Haq in the 4th over. PBKS reached 55 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay and they were still way behind the asking rate which continued to shoot up.
However, Atharva Taide, a Vidarbha batter in his maiden IPL season, showcased his mettle, hitting 66 off just 36 balls. His score was aided by handy contributions from Sikandar Raza, Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran as Punjab Kings posted 201 on the board.
However, it was not enough as PBKS lost the match by 56 runs.
Young Yash Thakur stepped up with 4 wickets as Lucknow Super Giants managed their bowling attack well despite losing Marcus Stoinis to an injury after he picked up the wicket of Dhawan.
Naveen-ul-Haq finished with figures of 3 for 30 in his 4-over spell as Lucknow completed a comprehensive win on Friday.