Lucknow: Powered by a blistering batting performance from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 5 wickets in the 30th match of the ongoing IPL. After Lucknow set a target of 167 runs, Chennai — who had been struggling — chased it down with 3 balls to spare, losing 5 wickets.
On Monday, along with Dhoni, impact player Shivam Dube also played a crucial and powerful innings. After suffering five consecutive losses, Chennai has returned to winning ways. However, despite this being their second win in seven matches, they couldn’t climb up from the bottom of the table. On the other hand, Lucknow has now faced their third defeat in seven matches.
Chennai made a change in their opening pair while chasing the 167-run target, sending Sheikh Rasid (27) and Rachin Ravindra (37) to start. The duo gave a strong start by putting up a 52-run partnership for the first wicket. But then, regular wickets saw Chennai slump to 111 for 5, putting them in a spot of trouble.
It was at this moment that captain Dhoni lit up the match with his fireworks. Teaming up with Shivam Dube (43* off 37 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes), Dhoni delivered an explosive batting display to bring Chennai back to victory. With 56 runs required from the last 5 overs, Dhoni (26* off 11 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) and Shivam’s aggressive batting helped Chennai seal the win with 3 balls to spare.
Dhoni’s fireworks brought a much-awaited victory for the team and smiles back to fans’ faces. Dhoni and Shivam added an unbeaten 57* run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Chennai had won the toss and invited Lucknow to bat first. During the powerplay, Chennai bowlers backed captain Dhoni’s decision by dismissing openers Aiden Markram (6) and the dangerous Nicholas Pooran (8). However, captain Rishabh Pant (63 off 49 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes) held firm and guided Lucknow to a respectable total of 166 for 7.
Pant, who had failed in the last six matches, had a slow start but gradually found rhythm. He picked up the scoring rate and reached his first half-century of the season in 42 balls. Among other contributors were Mitchell Marsh (30 off 25 balls), Ayush Badoni (22 off 17 balls), and Abdul Samad (20 off 11 balls), who all played quick cameos.
In the final over, Chennai took three wickets and with good fielding throughout the match, didn’t allow Lucknow to accelerate their scoring in the end.
