In a high-scoring showdown at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, Mitchell Marsh powered Lucknow Super Giants to a commanding 33-run victory over playoff-bound Gujarat Titans, delivering a massive blow to GT’s hopes of finishing in the top two. Marsh led from the front with a scintillating maiden IPL century, smashing 117 off just 62 balls, while Nicholas Pooran added a blistering 56* from 27 balls to lift LSG to a mammoth 235/2.
The Marsh-Markram duo laid a solid foundation with a 91-run opening partnership, before Sai Kishore dismissed Markram for 36. Marsh continued the onslaught, reaching his century in just 56 balls and dominating the GT bowling attack, particularly in a brutal over against Rashid Khan that went for 25 runs. After Marsh’s dismissal in the 19th over, captain Rishabh Pant chipped in with a quickfire 16* to push the total beyond the 230-run mark.
In reply, Gujarat Titans lost key wickets at crucial junctures. Despite a valiant effort from Shahrukh Khan, who blasted 57 off 29 balls, and Sherfane Rutherford’s 38, GT stumbled in the final stretch. Will O’Rourke turned the game with a crucial spell, picking up three important wickets and halting GT’s momentum. Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler provided a brisk start, but wickets fell consistently, and the Titans were restricted to 202/9 in 20 overs.
The loss was especially damaging for Gujarat Titans, who were eyeing a top-two finish heading into the match. With Royal Challengers Bangalore set to play next, a victory for RCB could see them leapfrog GT in the standings. LSG, meanwhile, snapped their four-match losing streak in style, restoring some pride and proving their firepower with both bat and ball.
GT captain Shubman Gill’s decision to bowl first backfired, as LSG capitalized on the flat surface and his bowlers failed to find answers to Marsh’s clean striking. With this win, Lucknow’s campaign may not continue into the playoffs, but they’ve certainly left a mark on the closing stages of the league phase.
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