LSG Vs GT, IPL 2024, Match 21: Yash Thakur, Krunal Pandya Set Up 33-Run Win For Lucknow Super Giants Against Gujarat Titans - As It Happened

We are going to bat first. Looks like a good wicket, we batted first in the last two games, defended pretty well. They have a better record against us, but they have been a better team and had success in the previous two seasons. We are playing with the same team. It's still his (Mayank Yadav'S) first season, a few injuries have been hard on his body. For a 21 old boy he's very professional. It's important for us to manage him. We have some good fast bowlers and we have Morne and others to look after him.

LSG batters are out in the middle as action for match 21 of the IPL 2024 gets underway!

LSG lost Quinton de Kock (4) in the 1st over of the match as Umesh Yadav then followed it up with another scalp in the form of Devdutt Padikkal. GT restricted LSG to 43/2 after 5 overs.

Skipper KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis have brought up their fifty-run stand against GT as they look to rebuild the LSG innings.

A fifty partnership in 38 balls between KL Rahul & Marcus Stoinis has enabled LSG to steady their ship after early setback. However, GT spinners Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad aren't getting much purchase and the LSG batters have played them nicely.

After a fifty run stand from KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis, the duo departed as Gujarat Titans bowlers fought back in the contest. Rahul was dismissed on 33 whereas Stoinis walked back for a well-made 58.

Lucknow Super Giants finish off with 163/5 in their 20 overs. Thanks to a blistering knock of 32 from Nicholas Pooran, LSG finished off strongly. Earlier, KL Rahul (33) and Marcus Stoinis (58) helped steady the ship for LSG after GT bowlers fought back with wickets in the early overs.

A wicket-less five overs for LSG as GT openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill negated the early conditons to give their side a solid start in their pursuit of 164. LSG sensation Mayank Yadav gave away 13 runs in first over as GT looked prime to scalp a win here in Lucknow.

GT, who had a splendid start, lost their way a bit, as they went four down to LSG. Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Kane Williamson and Sharath BR were the wickets to fall for GT as LSG fought back in this contest. Gujarat Titans need 97 runs in 60 balls.

Another one bites the dust as GT batters' run-chase of 164 seems far off with seven down. LSG bowlers especially their spinners have been all over GT as they look to complete the formality and clean up the rest of the tail and get a win.

After a formidable start by GT openers, it seemed that the visitors will have a stroll in the park in the run-chase. However, Yash Thakur and Krunal Pandya decimated the GT middle-order as they derailed the early momentum and helped them win an important game by 33 runs.

LSG - 163/5 (20)

GT - 130 (18.5)

It was a good wicket to bat on, a poor batting performance by us. We got a decent start, but we lost wickets in the middle and couldn't recover from that. Our bowlers were exceptional as they restricted them to 160-odd, just that our batters let us down. (On missing David Miller) Miller is a kind of a player who can change a game in a couple of overs, because I think this total was very gettable for us. (On his dismissal) I thought it was the last over of the powerplay and I just wanted to make the most of it, just that I missed that ball as I tried to play a bit too square. It was tremendous to watch our bowlers bowl, we were looking forward to restricting them around 160-165.

Lucknow Super Giants have won each of the 13 IPL matches in which they have scored 160 or more batting first.

We'll take the win, I am not going to make too much out of it. For the young bowling unit we have, it helps when we bat first. They get an idea how the wicket is playing and they've also been adapting really well. It's a good record to have (defending all 160+ totals), but it's also where we've played. Having the home advantage helps. The bowlers have come through the ranks over the last couple of years. you have seen the same guys bowling in the last season as well., They have adjusted to their roles. Hopefully we can continue this. We knew that it wasn't as good as the wicket we played on (in the previous match here), also losing two wickets in the powerplay will set us back a bit. Unless someone carries on to get 70-80, it was tough to achieve that 170-180. We just wanted to bat and see how much we can get. That's the advantage you have when you are batting first. All three spinners have been key for us. Sid coming in this season has done really well, he plays a crucial part with the new ball, he's shown great temperament. His job is to restrict the batters. KP is very experienced, he's played IPL for so many seasons. Bishnoi has been around for so many years and keeps getting better.

Happy with this five-wicket haul and Man of the Match. I had planned against Gill, I stuck to my plan, KL Rahul had advised me to do so and it paid off. Unfortunately Mayank Yadav got injured, so KL said it was my day and asked me to make the most of it. We are winning the first game against GT in IPL history, very happy with it. Really enjoyed Gill's wicket, the most memorable of all.

MI earlier, and LSG now. Home teams have had a fruitful Sunday as we get moving in this IPL 2024. Till then, good night.