Captain Rishabh Pant led from the front with a composed and well-crafted innings, anchoring LSG’s batting effort with a 63-run knock off 49 deliveries. The left-hander mixed caution with aggression, reaching his half-century in spectacular fashion with a stunning one-handed six over deep mid-wicket, a signature move that drew huge applause from the Lucknow crowd
The Super Giants were put into bat first and endured a tricky start, losing two early wickets during the powerplay. CSK’s new-ball pair of Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj bowled tight lines, each claiming a wicket in the first six overs to put the batting side under pressure. Their disciplined opening spells ensured that LSG couldn’t accelerate early on, finishing the powerplay at a modest run rate
Despite some late hitting attempts, LSG could not break free entirely in the death overs, managing just 166 by the end of their innings, a target that is defendable but far from imposing on a batting-friendly surface.
Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the standout performer, returning excellent figures of 2 for 24 in his three-over spell. Jadeja’s ability to choke the run flow while picking up key middle-over wickets played a pivotal role in preventing LSG from reaching a bigger total.
CSK’s bowling attack, though without some of their marquee names, showcased impressive depth and variety. The chase promises to be intriguing, with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s absence and the need for experienced campaigners to step up under pressure
With the ball now in Chennai’s court, the spotlight turns to the CSK batters, who will be under pressure to deliver in a must-win match, especially following a series of disappointing performances
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