Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by five wickets at the Ekana Stadium. It was Chennai Super Kings who were batting first and lost three wickets in the powerplay. Kartik Sharma smashed a half century and a cameo from Dube helped them post 187/5 at the end of the first innings. Chasing the target, LSG openers put up a massive partnership to dominate the game. Mitch Marsh smashed 21 ball fifty while Inglis played more of a supporting role in the mammoth 135-run opening stand. Lucknow lost a few wickets but the required rate was under control and Pooran finished things off in style smashing four sixes to win the game.
CSK 187/5 (Kartik 71, Akash Singh 3/26) lost to LSG 188/3 (Marsh 90, Mukesh 1/24)
Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK captain:
I felt there was a bit of something for the fast bowlers. You know, when we batted, we found it difficult to hit it off the hard lengths probably, their bowlers executed it really well. But I think we were looking at 160 or 170 and we ended up getting 180. So I thought, probably nothing much better we could have done from a batting point of view, but I think credit to them. They batted really well and never know if the pitch got better or not, but I think they played some extraordinary shots. (Talking about bowling short balls) We were looking but you know, Josh Inglis, he played differently last game. So we had to come up with a plan and definitely Mitch Marsh is someone who plays the short ball really well. So I think we were just looking to hit that hard length, proper test match length. We felt that there was something, ball was nibbling around well, but I think he hit some really good shots. We missed on execution on a few areas or a few balls as well, but I think they played some extraordinary shots. But I think looking back, after the opening batters fell, we felt that the coming batters found it really difficult to start with as well. So I think, yes, there was something a bit still in the hard length, both their openers batted brilliantly once again. (Asked about number of injuries) Well, sometimes the opposition can play good cricket than you, so you just have to accept it. I think last game they still played better cricket than us to start off, but we came back really well. So we showed some character. Even today, I think from a batting point of view, a young boy Kartik, showing that confidence, getting that 70 or 80 odd was really good to see. So, as a unit, as I said, you know, middle order was something still we were lacking. But going into the last couple of games of the tournament, I think I'm really confident that, right from a batting point of view, we have started to click and bowling, we are doing really well. Just off day today, but going into the couple of games, I'm really confident on the side. (How do you face the next two games?) Well, first challenge is getting to Chennai. It's a long flight. After that, just make sure we come back and improve what are the areas we need to improve and yes, try and adapt and assess the conditions as quickly as possible and it is a simple calculation for us. Win each and every game for how much ever games we play. So I think nothing simple. I mean, it is simple, nothing complicated. So quite easy here on for us. Nothing to worry about. Just make sure we have a good day. Make it count whoever has a good day and hope that we hope that we turn the things around.
Rishabh Pant | LSG captain:
It feels good. Getting a win definitely feels good. Regardless the way our season there's lot to play for. He has been working hard throughout the IPL, sometimes it is hard to give everyone a game, it paid off, the way he bowled and stuck to the plan. That was the first thought to get two overseas players to open and Nicky to bat at three. We are working out, four fast bowlers are working in the home conditions. The team we have is so amazing, the only thing that can hurt us is overthinking. The idea came like to try players who have not had much chances, I still wanted to be out there, but sometimes you have to respect the decisions from the think tank.
Mitchell Marsh | Player of the Match:
Nice to get a win. There have been few and far for us this season. We have great people within this group, some great young kids. I love it. He takes the pressure off me and grown up playing for Western Australia, it was a good partnership. Having experience, it is a red soil pitch and it will do a little in the first 2-3 overs. Cricket is a funny game, isn't it? I have had a bit of bad luck, I enjoying being out there with the boys.
Chennai Super Kings have dented their NRR and now they will be under trouble in the final few games of their season
