PBKS vs LSG: Lucknow Super Giants score 2nd highest total in IPL history to defeat Punjab Kings  

PBKS vs LSG: Lucknow Super Giants went all guns blazing last night despite losing the toss to Punjab Kings. LSG batted first and pressed the accelerator right from the start as Kyle Mayers began his attack. Captain KL Rahul fell early once again at just 12 runs, followed soon by Mayers getting caught by Dhawan, but not before he scored a superb 54 runs with 7 fours and 4 sixes. Their quick wickets, however, didn’t stop Marcus Stoinis and Ayush Badoni from continuing the onslaught. While Badoni scored a swift 43 runs off 24 balls, Marcus Stoinis hit a terrific 74 with 6 fours and 5 sixes. But the real surprise came from Nicholas Pooran, who got fielders running around the ground with his boundaries and smashed 45 runs in just 19 balls to take Lucknow’s tally to a mammoth 257, the second-highest score in IPL history.  

Punjab Kings, on the other hand, got off to a disastrous start as their experienced skipper Shikhar Dhawan got out in the first over, soon followed by Prabhsimran Singh. However, Atharv Taide and Sikandar Raza held their nerves and confidently faced Lucknow’s bowlders. Taide reached an admirable 66 runs in 36 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes, whereas Raza supported him with his 36 off 22. After they both fell, Liam Livingston, Sam Curran, and Jitesh Sharma made efforts to keep pushing their score, but Punjab Kings soon all out and only reached 201 runs in the end.   

Marcus Stoinis was hailed as ‘Player of the Match’ for not only his excellent performance with the bat but also for picking up the key wicket of Shikhar Dhawan. The next match will be played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans.