The Gujarat Titans (GT) crushed the Lucknow Super giants (LSG) by 56 runs in a trim sided experience in the Goodbye IPL 2023 on Sunday, May 7. With the outcome, GT solidified their place at the highest point of the table while LSG stayed in third spot.
GT batted first and ended the first innings with a formidable score of 227/2. Shubman Gill (94* runs off 51 balls) and Wriddhiman Saha (81 runs off 43 balls), who both scored magnificent half-centuries, led the GT batting effort. Captain Hardik Pandya made a strong appearance for his team as well, scoring 25 runs off 15 balls.
In response, Kyle Mayers (48 runs off 32 balls) and Quinton de Kock (70 runs off 41 balls) helped LSG get off to a great start. However, the other batters provided little support for the duo. Rashid Khan (4-0-34-1), Noor Ahmad (4-0-26-1) and Mohit Sharma (4-0-29-4) were GT’s top bowlers.
1) Quinton de Kock impresses on return
Quinton de Kock struck a brilliant 50 years in his re-visitation of the group. With the assistance of seven fours and three sixes, he scored 70 runs off 41 balls at an excellent strike rate of 170.73. He was one of LSG’s most consistent players last year, but he didn’t play until Sunday because the experienced Kyle Mayers took over at the top of the lineup.
However, skipper KL Rahul was forced to return for the game against GT due to an unfortunate injury. LSG will trust that he recreates similar structure for them this year.
2) Kyle Mayers proceeds with amazing run of structure for LSG
LSG’s good start was made possible by Kyle Mayers and Quinton de Kock, his new opening partner. It was noteworthy to see the two Mayers and De Kock play forcefully, in spite of KL Rahul’s nonappearance. In just 32 balls, the Barbadian all-rounder scored 48 runs. He played at a strike rate of 150 and made seven boundaries and two sixes.
Mayers has been in phenomenal structure from the very start of the time as he has scored 355 runs in 11 matches at a normal of 35.50 and a strike-pace of 155.02. Mayers will expect to direct his side into the end of the season games in his presentation IPL season.
3) With the ball, Avesh Khan bowls well.
Avesh Khan’s economy rate of 8.50 in four overs was the lowest among LSG bowlers who bowled more than one over. He gave up just 34 runs. In the 13th over, Khan also took the crucial wicket of Wriddhiman Saha, who appeared to be scoring boundaries at will for GT.
Although Khan hasn’t had the best season yet, his performance yesterday should give him hope. He has only taken seven wickets in eight matches this year, at an economy rate of 9.37. He will want to improve on this performance and provide LSG with consistent performances.