IPL 2023, RCB VS LSG: Pooran Snatches Victory from Bangalore’s Jaw

IPL 2023, RCB VS LSG: In another nail-biting finish in the ongoing IPL 2023, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) outclassed Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by a solitary wicket in the final over to record the highest successful run chase at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday, April 10. This was also the fourth-highest successful run chase in the history of the cash-rich league.

After winning the coin toss, LSG skipper KL Rahul didn’t hesitate to field first at a high-scoring venue. After a sedate start, RCV opener Virat Kohli (61) smashed Avesh Khan for a six and four in consecutive deliveries in the second over to up the tempo. Faf du Plessis (79), Kohli’s opening partner, was struggling to get going. Kohli took the onus of scoring quickly upon him and brought up his fifty with a single off Ravi Bishnoi in the ninth over.

On the other hand, Faf played the second fiddle and took his time. While Kohli went hammer and tongs, the veteran Proteas batter played sensibly, punishing the bad deliveries. Once, Kohli departed in the 12th over while attempting to take on veteran leggie Amit Mishra, it was Faf’s turn to up the ante. At number 3, Glenn Maxwell (59) announced his arrival at the crease with a four and six off Mishra.

Du Plessis opened up with three huge hits over the fence off Bishnoi in the 15th over as RCB raced to 137 for one. From that point till the last over the duo carried on and even though Maxwell departed in the last over du Plessis remained unbeaten to take his team to 212 in 20 overs.

IPL 2023, RCB VS LSG: Pooran Steers LSG to Their Third Win

Requiring a mammoth 213 runs to chase in their 20 overs, LSG’s start wasn’t ideal as they lost their in-form opener Kyle Mayers for a three-ball duck. Deepak Hooda joined Rahul, but the pair couldn’t keep the required run rate in check. Playing his first game of the season, Wayne Parnell announced himself in style by picking two wickets in the same over. LSG was in deep deep trouble. Marcus Stoinis (65) walked in and suddenly the runs started flowing at an alarming rate. Whatever was in his zone, Stoinis dispatched it in the stands. He was finding boundaries with relative ease.

Despite the heavy scoring in the middle overs, the game was in the balance. Stoinis got out, and then KL Rahul (18) departed as well. But then came Nicholas Pooran (62) who smashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground to complete the fastest fifty of this season coming in just 15 balls. He couldn’t take his team home but he did enough damage that the team was on the doorstep of victory. Ayush Badoni (30) further bolstered LSG’s chances, while Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan held their nerves to get their team across the line in a cliffhanger.