Chasing 182 on a challenging surface, Lucknow Super Giants were playing catch-up for the most part. Maiden IPL fifty from Prerak Mankad (64 off 45) and brutal hitting from Marcus Stoinis (40 off 25) and Nicholas Pooran (44 off 13), however, ensured LSG took home two crucial points. 

The seven-wicket win, with four balls to spare, also took LSG to the fourth spot on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 points table. Similar results in the home game against MI on May 16 and an away contest against KKR on May 20 could help the team finish in the top two and earn a spot in Qualifier 1. 

Mankad plays a perfect anchor

QDK departed after a well-made 29 off 19. That brought a dangerous Stoinis at the crease. With SRH bowlers operating with authority, Stoinis bought some time to settle in. Prerak Mankad, however, ensured that he paced his innings accordingly and did not lose his wicket cheaply.

Stoinis sets perfect platform 

Remember Stoinis and Pooran leading from the front to chase down RCB’s mammoth 212? The target on Saturday (May 13) was a little lower but the conditions were a lot tougher. 

Stoinis took time to settle in but exploded in the 16th over bowled by Abhishek Sharma. He was caught in the deep after two huge sixes but the platform was ready for Pooran to provide a strong finish.

Pooran lights up Hyderabad

6,6,6…that’s how Pooran responded after Stoinis lost his wicket. The required rate was nearly 14 at the start of the 16th over but climbed down below 10 after the 31-run over that included five sixes, a wide and a wicket. 

The run-fest continued as Prerak Mankad too joined Pooran in hitting sixes. Eventually, LSG bagged two crucial points and kept their noses ahead in the race for playoffs.

Krunal’s double blow jolts SRH 

Earlier, the home side was cruising nicely at 115/3 in 12 overs with skipper Aiden Markram (28 off 20) and Heinrich Klaasen (47 off 29) set at the crease. 

In came skipper Krunal Pandya and with the help of some extra bounce got Markram stumped off the first ball of the 13th over and then cleaned up Glenn Phillips with a similar delivery on the very next ball. His figures after four overs read 2/24.

The wickets helped LSG claw back into the contest. A brief partnership between Heinrich Klaasen and Abdul Samad (37 off 25) got SRH to a challenging score of 182/6 in 20 overs, which eventually proved insufficient against powerhouses LSG.

Lucknow Super Giants - 185/3 (Prerak Mankad 64*, Nicholas Pooran 44*, Glenn Phillips 1/10 (2)) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 182 for 6 (Heinrich Klaasen 47, Krunal Pandya 2/24) by seven wickets.