Pooran, Markram power LSG to comfortable win

LSG Chases Down 181 to Move Up to Third Spot

Lucknow Super Giants powered to a six-wicket victory against Gujarat Titans, chasing down a target of 181 in 19.3 overs. Nicholas Pooran (61 off 34) and Aiden Markram (58 off 31) were the key to LSG's success, with Pooran smashing seven sixes and Markram scoring at a rate of 11.4.

Powerplay: Steady Start by GT Openers

GT's openers, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, started strongly, scoring 55 in the five overs after the sixth over. However, LSG's spin-demolisher, Nicholas Pooran, took control in the middle overs, striking maximums at will and ensuring sustained momentum for LSG.

Middle Overs: LSG Fight Back

With wickets in hand, GT's openers continued to score, but LSG staged a good comeback, with Pooran's fiery knock and Markram's 26-ball fifty. GT lost quick wickets in the middle overs, and LSG capitalized on the opportunity.

Death Overs: LSG Apply the Brakes

After the quick wickets late in the middle overs, LSG kept it tight at the start of the death, with Ravi Bishnoi conceding only 4 in his final over. GT's Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford were unable to take the game to the last over, and LSG eventually won by six wickets.

Powerplay: Markram Powers LSG's Aggressive Start

With Mitchell Marsh unavailable, Pant came out to open with Markram, and the right-hander got off to a positive start, scoring fluently and collecting 6 fours and a six. Markram's 26-ball fifty helped LSG go past 110 in the 10th over.

Middle Overs: Pooran Blitz Makes Life Easier for LSG

Pant played an authoritative pull off Prasidh but fell soon after, trying to take on a short delivery. Then came a flurry of sixes as Pooran went straight for a maximum off Rashid and Washington, and three sixes to the leg-side in the 10th over off Sai Kishore. Markram was happy dealing in fours, scoring boundaries off Washington and Sai Kishore en route to a 26-ball fifty.

Death Overs: LSG Stumble but Get Home in the End

Rashid eventually ended Pooran's stay as he found long on going for another six. Only three came off the 16th over while LSG managed just 6 off the next, but GT missed out on a key opportunity to send David Miller back as Buttler couldn't collect the ball properly to effect a run-out. And such was the effect of Pooran's knock that there wasn't much pressure on LSG despite the tight overs from GT.

Brief Scores

Gujarat Titans 180/6 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 60, Sai Sudharsan 56; Shardul Thakur 2-34, Ravi Bishnoi 2-36) lost to Lucknow Super Giants 186/4 in 19.3 overs (Nicholas Pooran 61, Aiden Markram 58; Prasidh Krishna 2-26) by 6 wickets.