Two tons in a single match, that too by two different teams in the IPL, is a pretty rare occurrence. But Ruturaj Gaikwad & Marcus Stoinis’ ton in the CSK vs LSG match ensured that the feat was repeated for the third time in IPL 2024, after Virat Kohli-Jos Buttler, and Sunil Narine & Jos Buttler’s feats. Eventually, it was the Lucknow Super Giants who reigned supreme in Chepauk, in front of the ‘sea of yellow’.
The win also means that LSG toppled CSK to climbed to the fourth position, in the business end of the tournament. Having said that, it wasn’t just Stoinis, who shone for his, but it was a collective, team effort. In fact, there were equally good performances from the opposition camp as well. Insidesport revisits all of them, one by one.
Ruturaj & the Art of Not Hitting the Ball Hard
Tuesday’s match was yet another run-fest in this year’s IPL. CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, with his ton showed that runs can be scored quickly without tonking the ball. Even placing the ball in gaps, scoring boundaries can help. In his innings of 108 from 60, he only smashed three sixes, but 12 fours. And yet he managed a strike-rate of 180. That says something.
Shivam Dube, the Left-handed MSD
The way Dube is going in this IPL 2024, would it be wrong to call him MS Dhoni, or a left-handed MS Dhoni? Well, of course he has a lot to achieve to be called that, but the talent is certainly there. The way he smashes sixes, and that too great distances, it for everyone to see. Against LSG too, he scored 66 from 27, hitting seven maximums.
Dhoni Still Not Out
Dhoni scored four from the last ball of the CSK innings. Brilliant right? What is even more noteworthy is, Thala is yet to be dismissed in the IPL this year. Having faced 35 deliveries, he has scored 91 runs with six not outs, at a strike-rate of 260. He is going better than any other finisher in the world.
Matheesha Pathirana Does it Again
CSK lost, okay. But it was Pathirana once again, who emerged as their best bowler. He returned with figures of 2/35 in his four overs, that kind of curtailed the scoring of LSG. He has 11 wickets now in five matches this season, and an economy rate of only 7.60.
Stoinis Power
Stoinis’ innings was nothing short of a surprise. Prior to this match, in the seven encounters, he had only 56 runs from 55 balls. Cut to the match vs CSK, he ended up scoring 124 from 63 only, at a strike rate of 196. It was purely his efforts that LSG crossed the finish line at Chepauk. Now, he becomes the most important batter for the team going forward.
Dont’ Forget Pooran & Hooda
There was a brief period during the LSG chase where Stoinis was not getting the boundaries. It was then, that Nicholas Pooran smashed 34 from 15, and Deepak Hooda was unbeaten on 17 from 6 only. Had the two not scored those boundaries, Lucknow would have falled short by a decent margin.
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