By IBNS May 25, 2023
Chennai/IBNS: After posting a competitive total, Mumbai Indians, thanks to initial 3 wicket burst by medium pacer by Akash Madhwal, on Wednesday restricted Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and registered an emphatic 81 run win to make it to the Qualifier-2 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
In the Eliminator contest, MI piled up a competitive 182 for eight, and their bowlers rose to the occasion, restricting them with wickets at regular intervals to seal a place in the Q2.
It was an impressive performance by medium pacer Madhal who picked up five wickets for a mere five runs, which could be a record in IPL history, with his three initial wickets turning the contest on its head.
On a wicket, where the spinners were expected to play a key role, it was the medium pacers who rose to the occasion for both the teams, that turned out to be the key in the outcome.
It was horrible start for LSG, as they lost two wickets in three overs, and all rounder Marcus Stoinis (40, 27 balls, 5x4, 1x6) revived the hopes, but his run out off mix up, snuffed out LSGs chase, despite being at a comfortable 70 for two.
LSG were bundled out for 101 in 16.3 overs.
LSG after having lost early wickets, were never in the hunt and went down tamely, as MI made their way to Q-2 where they will play defending champions Gujarat Titans on Friday, with the winner set to meet CSK in the final on Sunday.
Opener Kyle Mayers (impact player) promised with three fours, before Madhwals three wicket haul in quick succession dented their chase.
Stoinis ploughed a lone furrow and his dismissal ended the hopes of LSG, as two run outs cost them dearly.
For MI, the bowlers applied the pressure, choked the run chase, thanks to good fielding and fine catching as LSG lost the contest at the halfway stage, despite reaching 74 for five in the 10th over.
Credit goes to MI skipper Rohit Sharma, who marshalled his resources well, maintained the pressure on the opponents, to emerge a deserving winner.
It was a fantastic and record bowling by Madhiwal--thus far the best figures--who picked up four wickets conceded a mere four runs in his first three overs, which will definitely be a record in regard to conceding less runs, before ending up with a stunning figures of five for five in 4 overs.
LSG, having lost wickets at quick intervals, fell out of the chase and ended up losing by a big margin of 81 runs as MI bowlers maintained a tight leash.
After a hopeful 54 for two at the end of power play, it was a downslide for LSG, which were staring down the barrel at 100 for nine in 16 overs, making the target even tougher and fell short of the target.
In fact only three players managed to score double figures. Kyle Mayers (18), Stoinis (40) and Deepak Hooda (15) as LSG batsmen struggled to force the bowling and ended up as losers.