Lucknow, Apr 14 (UNI) A masterclass in late-overs execution by Chennai Super Kings bowlers, led by Matheesha Pathirana and Ravindra Jadeja, helped the visitors restrict Lucknow Super Giants to 166 for seven in their allotted 20 overs in an IPL clash at Bhrat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium here on Monday.
Opting to bowl first on a dry Lucknow surface, CSK struck early through Khaleel Ahmed, who removed Aiden Markram for 6 in the opening over with a superb catch by Rahul Tripathi running back at cover-point. Anshul Kamboj then trapped Nicholas Pooran (8) leg-before with a perfect in-swinger, leaving LSG at 23 for 2 by the end of the fourth over.
Mitchell Marsh looked solid, returning to the side with a brisk 30 off 25 balls, striking two fours and two sixes. But just as he looked to accelerate, he was bowled by Jadeja, beaten by one that skidded on. At the other end, Rishabh Pant was beginning to find rhythm.
The LSG captain was a class apart, crafting a fluent 63 off 49 balls with four boundaries and four sixes. Pant's innings was peppered with audacious strokes, including a helicopter whip over mid-wicket off Pathirana and a one-handed pull that cleared the ropes. He brought up his 19th IPL half-century with a 88-metre six and seemed set for a big finish.
However, CSK's death bowling, orchestrated by Pathirana and the ageless Dhoni, turned the tide decisively. In a dramatic 19th over, Pant tried to force the pace against Pathirana and was caught behind by Dhoni off a top edge—walking off immediately, knowing the veteran had it covered.
Just a ball earlier, Dhoni had already produced a moment of brilliance, running out Abdul Samad (20 off 11) with a calm underarm flick to the non-striker’s end after a miscommunication between the batsmen on a wide delivery. The throw hit the bull's eye, triggering wild applause from spectators.
Shardul Thakur struck a top-edged four off Pathirana but perished on the last ball of the innings, lofting a slower ball tamely to Shaik Rasheed at mid-off. Thakur made 6 off 4 balls, as LSG managed just 8 runs and lost three wickets in the final over.
Ayush Badoni (22 off 17) earlier provided a burst of energy with back-to-back sixes off Jamie Overton and a switch-hit attempt, but threw his wicket away by charging Jadeja and being stumped by Dhoni with surgical precision.
The final five overs yielded just 43 runs for the loss of four wickets, a credit to CSK's bowling unit. Jadeja (3-0-24-2) and Pathirana (4-0-45-2) were the key wreckers, while Khaleel and Kamboj bowled economically and took crucial wickets.
With 166 on the board, Chennai now have a competitive yet chaseable target ahead, with the dew likely to favour their strong batting line-up n the second innings.
UNI BDN ARN