SYNOPSIS: On a batting friendly pitch, Will O’Rourke’s four economical overs prove to be the difference as Gujarat Titans chances of finishing in top two takes a dent
It was a night where Lucknow Super Giants belatedly showed what their batting unit is capable off as they put on 235/2 in an innings where their overseas trio of Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram flexed their muscles. As has been the case, the bowlers nearly ended up bottling it before O’Rourke delivered two key strikes in the 17th over as Gujarat Titans showed their batting was not just about their top three. But they still have plenty of ground to gain.
Nearly there
For a top three that has been the envy of the rest, this was a chance to show their might before the play-offs. When the league stage ends, they will be without one of them – Jos Buttler, who will head home for international commitments. But going by how their chase of 236 unfolded, Gujarat won’t be losing sleep. Buttler will be missed, particularly in the business end, but few would bet against this Titans side from going all the way. Their top three – B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Buttler—departing inside the first 10 overs with the skipper’s 35 being the highest, all eyes were on how far Gujarat’s middle-order will take them from here.
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Gujarat Titans’ Sherfane Rutherford, left, and Shahrukh Khan encourages each other as they bat during the Indian Premier League cricket match. (AP photo)
It was their time to emerge from the shadows and they came close to pulling off an incredible chase. Playing the lead role was Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford, who put up a commendable, counter-attacking partnership by feasting on arguably the weakest attack this IPL. That Rutherford (38) and Shahrukh (56), blessed with muscle power, kept Gujarat in the game till the 17th over wasn’t a surprise as anything that landed in their arc went the distance.
Out of their 40-ball 86, 60 came in boundaries and sixes. The partnership threatened to take the game away from Lucknow before Will O’Rourke’s twin blows in his final over in the 17th, where he accounted for Rutherford and Rahul Tewatia, put the brakes on Gujarat’s daring chase. When the rest of Lucknow’s bowlers were listless and drawing the fury of captain Rishabh Pant, it was O’Rourke’s four overs where he conceded just 27 runs and accounted for Sai Sudharsans’ wicket as well, all to excellent change of pace, that made the difference.
Raging Bison
For the second consecutive game Lucknow’s opening duo put up another splendid show with Mitchell Marsh at his punishing best. The well-built West Australian, nicknamed ‘Bison’, has been threatening to cut loose often this IPL, but hasn’t been able to prolong his aggressive game. This occasion, after getting another rapid start, he wasn’t going to squander another glorious opportunity on a placid pitch. He reeled off 117 off 64 deliveries in an innings that included 10 boundaries and 8 sixes that fitted his tag ‘Bison’. After his partner Aiden Markram got going first, Marsh showed he is in the mood too, as he launched left-arm seamer Arshad Khan over covers off the third ball he faced. From thereon, he was unstoppable.
LSG’s Mitchell Marsh plays a shot during the IPL 2025 cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. (PTI)
Unlike their game against Sunrisers Hyderabad last Monday where they got a rapid start, they had to wait patiently to break the shackles as Gujarat’s attack showed discipline early on. But still they managed 53 runs in the powerplay, a testament to their intent, which they were ready to unleash at any given opportunity. One of the overlooked aspects of Gujarat’s performance is how their attack has regularly won games in the middle overs. At the same time, when put under sustained pressure, they have sometimes frozen , appearing too rigid with their plans and match-ups. With Rashid Khan struggling, Gujarat have looked at Prasidh Krishna and R Sai Kishore as their banks. With Marsh showing no signs of holding back against the duo and Markram quietly ticking away, Lucknow put Gujarat under pressure and the cookie crumbled for the former champions.
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Though Markram perished in the 10th over, Nicholas Pooran walked in at No 3 to sustain the intent. With Kagiso Rabada also being taken to cleaners, Gill finally turned to Rashid in the 12th over, which turned into the most expensive over of the innings. It cost 25 runs. Despite having the wood over most established names, the Afghan hasn’t had a favourable match-up against Marsh, who welcomed Rashid by picking up his googly and depositing over mid-wicket. Three more boundaries and a six flew, as Rashid kept erring on his length. Gujarat were bleeding now as Marsh jogged his way through his maiden IPL century. With Pooran rediscovering his rhythm, it was trouble from both ends as the left-right duo feasted on Gujarat’s attack to end on 235/2, a total that lived up to their batting standards. If they faltered in the second half of their innings against Hyderabad, against Gujarat they went the opposite way. In the first 10, they scored 97/1 and in the next 10 scored 138/1.
Lucknow Super Giants 235 for 2 (M Marsh 117, N Pooran 56) beat Gujarat Titans 202 for 9 (M Shahrukh Khan 57, S Rutherford 38; W O’Rourke 3/27 ) by 33 runs.
