Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) registered their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) victory on March 31. KL Rahul-led LSG managed to secure a six-wicket victory against defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.
The Lucknow-based franchise scripted the second-highest successful run chase ever against CSK. For LSG, their Caribbean star Evin Lewis played a terrific innings of 55 (not out) off 23 balls to help his side chase down the big total. His innings was comprised of six boundaries and three sixes.
Lewis speaks
While talking about his match-winning knock, Lewis said that he “just backed” his “strengths and ability.”
“Very good pitch, once you get in you can score freely. I just backed my strengths and ability. I think he is a very confident guy. I saw him (Badoni) in the nets. I just try to keep it simple and want to do the best for the team,” Lewis said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
In the match, batting first, CSK registered a huge total of 210/7 in 20 overs. Robin Uthappa (50 runs off 27 balls) started the batting confidently for CSK. Later, English all-rounder Moeen Ali (35 runs off 22 deliveries) and Shivam Dube (49 runs off 30 balls) exhibited terrific batting skills to help their side in reaching a big total.
Avesh Khan, Andrew Tye and Ravi Bishnoi picked up two wickets each for LSG.
The run chase
In reply, LSG started the run chase on a positive note after their opening batters - KL Rahul (40 runs off 25 balls) and Quinton de Kock (61 runs off 45 balls) - put up a partnership of 99 runs. Batting at no.3, Indian batter Manish Pandey failed to do anything constructive and he went back to the dressing room scoring just five runs. Eventually, Lewis along with Ayush Badoni (19 not out off 9 balls) helped LSG in earning their maiden IPL victory. The 30-year-old Trinidad-born player was adjudged ‘Man of the Match’ for his superb match-winning batting display.
CSK could have won the match but a 25-run penultimate over bowled by Shivam Dube ultimately helped LSG to win the thrilling match. For CSK, Dwaine Pretorius claimed two wickets.
