IPL 2024, LSG vs CSK: KL Rahul's class and Quinton de Kock's defiance overshadow MS Dhoni's cameo as Lucknow beat Chennai by 8 wickets

On the back of a stupendous knock from KL Rahul and a well-grinded half-century from Quinton de Kock, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defeated the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match on April 19 (Friday). The Super Giants chased down the target of 177 runs with eight wickets remaining and one complete over to spare.

With the win, the Lucknow-based franchise took their wins tally to four after seven matches this season. Meanwhile, the Chennai-based franchise suffered their third defeat of the season in seven matches. 

Elegant KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock orchestrate LSG's win

Chasing a tricky target of 177 runs on a challenging pitch, the Lucknow Super Giants needed a solid start from their experienced openers. Captain KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock took the onus on themselves and fired in unison to bat the Super Kings out of the contest. For the first time this season, Rahul looked like the elegant batter he is and found sublime fluidity in his knock. Quinton de Kock found run-scoring a little challenging but he played a solid second fiddle to Rahul. 

Rahul and De Kock registered the highest opening partnership this season. The duo combined for a 134-run alliance in 15 overs and set the stage for Lucknow's win. De Kock departed after scoring 54 runs off 43 balls but Rahul was determined to take his team to the promised land. 

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Nicholas Pooran walked out to bat at No.3 with one intent, and that was, to finish the game as soon as possible. Pooran launched a massive six off Matheesha Pathirana and never looked back from there.

Rahul's terrific knock came to an end after Ravindra Jadeja took a jaw-dropping one-handed stunner at point. With just 16 runs away from victory, Rahul departed after scoring 82 runs off 53 balls with the help of nine fours and three sixes. 

Pooran launched one six and three fours in his unbeaten cameo of 23 runs off 19 balls and took his team to the finish line. 

For CSK, Mustafizur Rahman and Pathirana bagged a wicket each. 

Jadeja hits fifty, Dhoni mania grips Lucknow

After being asked to bat first, Ravindra Jadeja's steadfast unbeaten 57 set the stage for Moeen Ali and MS Dhoni's explosive six-hitting masterclass that propelled Chennai Super Kings to a robust 176/6. After CSK struggled during early phase of the innings, Jadeja steadied the innings with five boundaries and a six. Ali (30 runs off 20 balls) and Dhoni (28 not out off 9 balls) then reignited the innings with a late assault post the 16th over, leading to a competitive total.

Ali blasted three sixes off Ravi Bishnoi (1/44) and a productive 19th over from Mohsin Khan, which saw CSK rack up 15 runs, shifted the momentum. The last four overs were particularly damaging, yielding 63 runs.

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Opener Rachin Ravindra was dismissed for a duck by left-arm pacer Mohsin with a perfect opening delivery. Ajinkya Rahane (36) and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (17) tried to stabilise the innings.

Shivam Dube, usually a key player for CSK, faltered this time, falling to Marcus Stoinis (1/7) who took a wicket with his first delivery. Krunal then dismissed Sameer Rizvi, who misjudged his advance down the pitch, leaving CSK at 90/5.

Krunal Pandya bagged two wickets while Bishnoi, Stoinis, Mohsin and Yash Thakur chipped in with a wicket each.

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IPL 2024, LSG vs CSK: KL Rahul elects to field and makes 1 change, Ruturaj Gaikwad rings in 2 changes; check playing XIs here