Ahmedabad, May 22 (UNI) Mitchell Marsh's blistering 117 and a disciplined bowling display helped Lucknow Super Giants register a commanding 33-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the 64th match of the Indian Premier League at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Thursday.
Chasing a mammoth target of 236, Gujarat could only manage 202 for 9 in their 20 overs despite valiant knocks from Shahrukh Khan (57 off 29) and Sherfane Rutherford (38 off 22).
Earlier, Marsh was the architect of LSG’s imposing total of 235 for 2. The Australian all-rounder, dropped early in his innings, made Gujarat pay with a punishing 117 off 64 balls, laced with 10 fours and 8 sixes. His innings was the cornerstone of a 121-run partnership with Nicholas Pooran, who remained unbeaten on 56 off 27 balls (4x4, 5x6).
Electing to bowl first, Gujarat failed to make early inroads. Aiden Markram (36 off 24) and Marsh added 91 for the opening wicket before the South African was dismissed by Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore in the 10th over. From there, it was Marsh and Pooran who tore into Gujarat's bowling attack, with both pacers and spinners struggling to contain the flow of runs.
No Gujarat bowler managed more than a single wicket, with Rashid Khan proving unusually expensive, conceding 36 runs in just 2 overs. Mohammed Siraj (0/37), Kagiso Rabada (0/45), and Prasidh Krishna (0/44) all failed to make breakthroughs, and LSG capitalised to post their season-best total.
In response, Gujarat began briskly with Sai Sudharsan (21) and Shubman Gill (35 off 20) adding 46 in the powerplay, but the introduction of William O'Rourke (4-0-27-3) turned the tide. The Kiwi pacer removed Sudharsan, Rutherford, and the dangerous Rahul Tewatia (2) in a telling spell.
Shahrukh fought back with a 29-ball 57 (5x4, 3x6), briefly raising hopes for the hosts with a 86-run stand with Rutherford, but once the latter perished in the 17th over, the chase unraveled. Avesh Khan (3.5-0-51-2) and Ayush Badoni (1-0-4-2) wrapped up the tail efficiently.
For LSG, it was a collective bowling effort backed by a record-setting batting display. O'Rourke’s three wickets and economical bowling proved pivotal, while Akash Maharaj Singh (1/29) and Shahbaz Ahmed (1/41) provided support at crucial junctures.
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