IPL 2024: LSG Posts Thrashing 8-Wicket Victory Over CSK in Lucknow

In a thriller at Lucknow’s Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 19, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) thrashed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 8 wickets in Match 34 of the Indian Premier League 2024. LSG chased a dogged total of 177 with six balls remaining through excellent efforts of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock.

Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, LSG bowlers had a good outing to restrict CSK to 176/6 in their 20 overs. CSK’s top scorer was Ravindra Jadeja with a solid unbeaten 57, while Ajinkya Rahane (36) and Moeen Ali (30) contributed to the team in the middle. Experienced player MS Dhoni once again stole the limelight in the death overs with a fire-cracker 28* off as many as 9 deliveries, guiding CSK into a defendable score.

Krunal Pandya was the bowler’s choice for LSG, returning impressive figures of 2/16 from his four overs. The other bowling side also did their part in keeping the CSK batsmen in check, not providing any major partnerships to be built.

Repounded, the LSG openers laid the groundwork for the chase in place. Captain KL Rahul began it with a blazing 82 from 53 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes. His opening buddy Quinton de Kock was just as flamboyant with 54 runs from 38 balls. The opening duo pillaged the opening stand that tore the CSK bowling attack and laid the ground for the chase.

After the openers left, Nicholas Pooran ensured there were no last-minute jitters. His 23* at a canter wrapped up the game for LSG in 19 overs. Although CSK tried to snatch the game in the middle overs, the target was short of the mark against LSG’s top-order in-form batsmen.

This victory for LSG consolidated their grip on the IPL 2024 table, and CSK will look to stage a comeback in the next matches. The match once again demonstrated how important it is to have good starts and composed finishes in the pressure-cooker T20 competition.