LSG batsman running between the wicket during match against CSK in IPL 2022
A superb bowling performance by Ravi Bishnoi followed by an excellent batting display by Quinton de Kock, Evin Lewis Lucknow Super Giants registered their first-ever win in the history of Indian Premier League beating four-time champions Chennai Super Kings by six wickets in a thrilling contest here at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.
Chasing a challenging total of 211, LSG skipper KL Rahul and his opening partner de Kock gave their side a solid start with first wicket partnership of 99 runs. KL was removed by Dwaine Pretorius, who was CSK's best bowler of the night. After Rahul's wicket on 40, CSK fought back in the game with another key wicket of Manish Pandey. Tushar Deshpande registered his first wicket of the match by dismissing Manish on five.
With two wickets down, LSG needed a partnership and in came the West Indian power-hitter Lewis, he along with de Kock stitched a crucial partnership to take their side close to a win. When LSG was smelling the victory. CSK brought by Pretorius and he did not disappoint his captain as he took the wicket of de Kock on 61.
With 50 runs required in the last four overs, LSG was waiting for an over from a spinner which was going to be from Ravindra Jadeja or from Moeen Ali. But instead, Shivam Dube was given the ball. Lewis made sure that the game is all over in the 19th over as he scored 25 runs in the over.
Earlier, Uthappa scored a fluent 50 off 27 balls to give CSK a solid start before Shivam Dube made 49 off 30 deliveries, while skipper Ravindra Jadeja (17 off 9) and MS Dhoni (16 off 6), who slammed two fours and a six, provided the final flourish to ensure that the four-time champions have plenty of runs on the board.
Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (2/24) did a tremendous job with the wet ball in an otherwise insipid performance by the Super Giants' bowling unit.
Andrew Tye (2/41) managed to pick two wickets in his final over. Put in to bat, Uthappa looked like a man on a mission as he slammed Avesh Khan (2/38) for back-to-back boundaries off the first two balls of the innings. With the ball coming nicely onto the bat, he smashed it all over the park.
CSK were dealt a blow when a direct hit by Bishnoi from backward point marked the end of Ruturaj Gaikwad (1), who was well short of the crease in the third over. But Uthappa, and new man Moeen Ali (35), continued the assault by dealing only in fours and sixes. The Super Giants bowlers had no answer for the duo as CSK raced to 73 for one at the end of the Powerplay.
In all, Uthappa slammed eight fours and one maximum, while Moeen hit four boundaries and two sixes during his 22-ball stay. It was Bishnoi again who gave the second breakthrough when he trapped Uthappa leg before with a quick delivery, soon after the batter reached his fifty.
Dube picked up from where Uthappa left, cracking three boundaries off Dushmantha Chameera (0/49), who struggled with his line, in the ninth over.
It was a bad day for the Sri Lankan as he repeatedly fumbled with the ball in the field, giving away easy boundaries.
With the bowlers struggling after getting nothing from the wicket, sloppy fielding made matters worse for LSG. Dube and Ambati Rayudu (27), then, shared a 60-run stand to keep CSK on course for a big total.
