Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Lucknow Super Giants put on a clinical all-round performance to stun Gujarat Titans by 33 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, May 22. Rishabh Pant’s men, already out of playoff contention, rode on a brutal century from Mitchell Marsh and a disciplined bowling effort to derail Gujarat’s hopes of sealing a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 points table.
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Heading into the contest, Gujarat were firm favourites to inch closer to a top-two berth. However, LSG flipped the script with a spirited showing, just days after their playoff dreams were dashed by a defeat to SunRisers Hyderabad in Lucknow. | GT vs LSG, IPL 2025 Highlights |
Batting first, LSG posted a daunting 235 for 2 – powered by Marsh’s ruthless hundred and fiery cameos from Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant. It proved too steep a target, even for Gujarat’s in-form batting unit.
The 2022 champions have leaned heavily on their top three – Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler – throughout the season. But on the night, none of them managed to convert their starts into a match-defining knock. Shah Rukh Khan impressed with a 29-ball 57 and Sherfane Rutherford chipped in with 38 off 22, but GT never found the Marsh-like innings they needed to climb the Mount 236.
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NO RATHI, NO PROBLEM FOR LSG!
Despite missing key spinner Digvesh Rathi, LSG’s bowling unit stepped up. New Zealand pacer Will O’Rourke was the standout, finishing with figures of 3 for 27 in four overs. Left-arm quick Akash Singh, battling a finger injury, delivered a gutsy spell and removed the dangerous Buttler. Avesh Khan also chipped in with two wickets to round off a disciplined bowling effort.
Gujarat Titans remain on top of the points table with 18 points from 13 matches, but the race for the top two is now wide open. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings – both on 17 points from 12 games – are hot on their heels heading into the final stretch.
MITCHELL MARSH ONSLAUGHT
Earlier in the day, Lucknow Super Giants produced their best batting display of the season – albeit a little too late. Rishabh Pant’s men were knocked out of the playoff race after their defeat to SunRisers Hyderabad at home on Monday.
Batting first, LSG posted 235 for 2 in their 20 overs – their third-highest total in IPL history – on the back of a magnificent century from Mitchell Marsh and a blistering cameo from Nicholas Pooran, who finally found his rhythm after a string of quiet outings.
Skipper Rishabh Pant, who had endured a difficult season with the bat, showed glimpses of his best, hammering 16 runs off just six balls. His no-look six off Kagiso Rabada brought welcome cheer to the LSG dugout, who had seen their captain struggle for form all campaign.
Gujarat Titans’ decision to bowl first – after Shubman Gill won the toss – seemed to work early on. Aiden Markram and Marsh added a steady 38 runs in the first five overs. But Markram then switched gears, taking on Kagiso Rabada in the final over of the powerplay, lifting LSG to 53 for no loss in six overs.
Mitchell Marsh truly cut loose after the fielding restrictions were lifted. The Australian all-rounder took down Prasidh Krishna, Gujarat’s most consistent bowler this season, in a statement seventh over. Spin or pace – it made no difference – Marsh showed no mercy, treating both with equal disdain.
For a rare spell this season, Gujarat’s star-studded bowling attack was under serious pressure. It was left-arm spinner Sai Kishore who finally broke the 91-run opening stand, dismissing Markram for a brisk 36 off 24 balls in the 10th over.
The onslaught, however, did not stop. Nicholas Pooran announced his intent immediately, dispatching the first ball he faced to the boundary, signalling that LSG were not done yet.
The fireworks only grew louder.
Mitchell Marsh went after Rashid Khan in the 12th over, launching two sixes and three fours off the Afghan spinner. The over cost Gujarat 25 runs and tilted the momentum firmly in LSG’s favour.
Marsh, who hit 10 boundaries and 8 sixes, brought up his maiden IPL century in just 56 balls. He looked set for a monumental score before falling in the 18th over for a commanding 117 off 64 deliveries.
Pooran, meanwhile, kept the scoreboard ticking with a brutal finish. His 27-ball 56, featuring five sixes, gave LSG the final push as they raced past the 230-mark.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
