LSG beat RCB: Kohli, Du Plessis, Maxwell slam fifties Pooran steals the show

BENGALURU: Nicholas Pooran’s magnificent innings took the game away from Royal Challengers Bangalore to give Lucknow Super Giants 1-wicket win for their third win in the Indian Premier League 2023 and top position in points table at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, here on Monday.

Batting first, RCB’s top three batters Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell slammed contrasting fifties to power their side to a mammoth 212/2. In reply, LSG managed the target in 20 overs losing 9 wickets. Batting at No.6, West Indian left hander Nicholas Pooran smashed 62 runs off 17 balls with 7 sixes to give his team a famous win. Pooran added 84 runs in 35 balls with Ayush Badoni (30 off 24 balls). They needed 13 runs in last 12 balls. After hitting a boundary in Wayne Parnell’s over, Badoni was unfortunately hit wicket in the next ball. They required 5 runs from the final over which was bowled by Harshal Patel. Mark Wood was bowled in the second ball to make situation tight. When the scores were in level, Harshal took the wicket of Jaydev Unadkat in the fifth ball. Avesh Khan finally took the winning run in the final ball.

Earlier, Kohli was at his aggressive best in attacking pacers in power-play while making 61 off 44 balls. On the other hand, Du Plessis was at 33 off 31 balls and looked scratchy but he found his timing to be unbeaten on 79 from 46 deliveries while Maxwell smacked 59 off just 29 balls as the crowd was treated to some scintillating strokeplay.

Lucknow Super Giants’ innings, after falling three quick wickets inside 4 overs Marcus Stoinis struck attacking 65 runs in just 30 balls with 5 sixes. He went back in 11th over when the score was 99. Then Nicholas Pooran started his show with Badoni to keep hopes alive.

Brief Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 212/2 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 79 not out, Virat Kohli 61; Amit Mishra 1/18, Mark Wood 1/32) lost to Lucknow Super Giants 213/9 in 20 overs (Marcus Stoinis 65, Nicholas Pooran 62, Ayush Badoni 33no, Mohammed Siraj 3/22, Wayne Pernell 3/41).

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