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Stoinis’ Unbeaten Century Guides Lucknow to Victory Over Chennai
In a thrilling encounter, Marcus Stoinis showcased his batting prowess by delivering a stunning unbeaten century, propelling Lucknow Super Giants to a remarkable chase of 211 runs against Chennai Super Kings. Stoinis’ sensational knock of 124 not out, his first century in the IPL and second in T20 cricket, overshadowed Chennai skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s valiant unbeaten 108 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
Despite facing a precarious situation at 88-3 after 11 overs, Stoinis orchestrated an extraordinary comeback, forging crucial partnerships with Nicholas Pooran and Deepak Hooda. Stoinis and Pooran combined forces to add 70 runs, with Pooran contributing a quickfire 34 off just 15 deliveries. Subsequently, Stoinis teamed up with Hooda for an unbeaten 65-run alliance, steering Lucknow to victory with six wickets and three balls to spare in 19.3 overs.
Stoinis’ century, achieved in a mere 56 balls, showcased his ability to adapt to match situations and capitalize on scoring opportunities. His innings, adorned with 13 fours and six towering sixes, propelled Lucknow to their second consecutive triumph over Chennai, propelling them to fourth place in the IPL standings.
In the final over, with 17 runs required for victory, Stoinis exhibited nerves of steel as he dispatched Mustafizur Rahman for a boundary and a maximum, including a crucial six off a no-ball, to seal the win in emphatic fashion.
Chennai skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, despite his own outstanding century, acknowledged Stoinis’ brilliance, admitting that Lucknow’s stellar performance in the latter stages of the match turned the tide in their favor. Stoinis’ entry into the fray in the early stages of the innings, following Quinton de Kock’s early dismissal, proved instrumental in Lucknow’s successful pursuit.
Notably, Stoinis’ century marked the highest individual score by a batsman while chasing in the history of the IPL, underscoring the significance of his monumental achievement in the context of the match.
Reflecting on Stoinis’ heroic innings, Deepak Hooda lauded his teammate’s determination and resilience, hailing him as a source of inspiration for the team.
On the bowling front, Sri Lankan pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana played a pivotal role for Lucknow, claiming two crucial wickets, including the prized scalp of the dangerous Nicholas Pooran.
Earlier in the match, Chennai posted a formidable total of 210-4, courtesy of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s stellar century and a blazing 66-run contribution from Shivam Dube. Gaikwad’s sublime innings, complemented by Dube’s aggressive strokeplay, provided Chennai with a solid foundation after the early dismissals of Ajinkya Rahane and Daryl Mitchell.
Gaikwad’s century, his second in the IPL, propelled him to second place in the batting charts for the season, trailing only Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Virat Kohli. Chennai’s total, bolstered by Gaikwad and Dube’s heroics, set the stage for an enthralling contest, ultimately culminating in Lucknow’s memorable triumph.
