Lucknow, May 19 (UNI) Explosive half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram propelled Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to a formidable 205 for 7 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their Indian Premier League clash at Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium here on Monday.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, LSG got off to a flying start, racking up 69 without loss in the Powerplay. Marsh and Markram were in devastating form, hammering 115 runs for the opening wicket in just 63 balls. Marsh blazed away to 65 off 39 deliveries with 6 fours and 4 sixes, while Markram brought up his fifty in 28 balls before departing for 61.
The boundaries flowed freely during LSG’s innings, 18 fours and 10 sixes in total, contributing 132 of their runs. They reached 50 in just 4.1 overs and crossed the 100-run mark in under 9 overs, keeping the SRH bowlers under constant pressure. The first strategic timeout was called at 69/0, with both openers dominating the proceedings.
However, SRH clawed back in the middle overs, reducing LSG from 115/0 to 159/3. Harsh Dubey broke the opening partnership by dismissing Marsh, while Harshal Patel and Eshan Malinga removed Rishabh Pant and Markram respectively. Lucknow managed 91/3 in the middle overs.
Nicholas Pooran injected late momentum with a brisk 45 off 26 balls (6 fours, 1 six), forging vital partnerships with Markram and later with Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad. Yet, SRH fought back strongly at the death, with LSG losing four wickets in the final two overs,scoring just 45/4 in that phase.
Despite the late stumble, Akash Deep smashed a last-ball six to help LSG breach the 200-run mark. He remained unbeaten on 6 off 1 ball, while Ravi Bishnoi stayed not out without scoring. The pair added a quick 6-run stand for the eighth wicket, all of it coming from Deep’s on-drive maximum. The final delivery marked LSG's 200th run, coming off 122 balls.
Bowling for SRH, Malinga stood out with an economical spell of 2/28 in four overs, while Harshal Patel (1/49) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/28) claimed crucial wickets, albeit at a high cost. Reddy's economy rate was a concerning 14.00. SRH's bowlers collectively conceded 11 extras.
LSG tactically used Impact Players, subbing in Shardul Thakur for Marsh late in the innings, while SRH brought in Atharva Taide for Zeeshan Ansari in the 16th over to tighten the fielding unit.
The innings also featured notable partnerships including 35 off 23 between Markram and Pooran, and a late flurry between Thakur and Samad (5 off 1) followed by Deep’s solitary six.
With momentum firmly in their favour, LSG will now look to defend their imposing total on what appears to be a good batting surface. UNI BDN SSP