Chennai pull off thrilling five-wicket win over Lucknow to keep their Playoff hopes alive

Chennai Super Kings kept their hopes of reaching the IPL Playoffs alive with a five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidamabaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday evening.  In the process, Chennai finally chased down a 180 plus score after 14 failed attempts.

The victory takes Chennai Super Kings to the fifth position, while Lucknow Super Giants languish at the bottom of the table.

Inglis gets Lucknow off to a blazing start

Put into bat first, Lucknow Super Giants were off to a blazing start as Josh Inglis tore apart the Chennai Super Kings attack. So brutal was the Ingis onslaught that Lucknow Super Giants ran up 91 for the loss of Mitchell Marsh (10) in the Powerplay.

Lucknow’s first 50 runs came off just 22 balls with Inglis making 44 and Marsh 9. Inglis went on to get his half-century off 17 balls with six fours and four sixes. Lucknow got their 100 off 47 balls as Inglis continued with his show.

Josh Inglis scored 85 off 33 balls with 10 fours and six sixes. Pics: BCCI

But once, Inglis fell at 112 with an individual score of 85 off 33 balls with 10 fours and six sixes, Chennai Super Kings fought back into contention. From 112 for two in 9 overs, Lucknow lost their way to be reduced to 147 for six in 14.2 overs.

But for a 50-run partnership between Shahbaz Ahmed (43 not out) and Himmat Singh (17), Lucknow would have not crossed the 200-run mark. Shahbaz, who produced an all-round show, remained unbeaten on a 25-ball 43 with three fours and three sixes. His third six helped Lucknow get past 200 as they ended up with 203 for eight.

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“Yes, but at the end, chasing 200, you know it will always go to the 18-19th over. It was tacky for a new batter to go and play shots. Been a while since we chased 200, so good to chase it. Huge credit and hats off to Josh – he played some amazing shots, and we did not have answers to. After the first time-out, Sanju came in and said, if we have it in us, we have to make a comeback. That just pumped up everyone and after that, it was about getting those wickets. Everyone was eager to make a comeback and that determination changed the course of the game. It was about getting the bowlers right – how you can attack from one end, defend from one end. It was about getting our best bowlers for 3-4 overs and that 6-10 overs phase, Noor and Jamie bowled really well,” said Chennai skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Urvil Patel rises to the occasion

Chennai, who are desperate to make up for the horrible start to the season, made a positive start with Sanju Samson again getting them off the block quickly. They made 45 in 3.4 overs with Sanju getting 28. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (42) and Urvil Patel (65; 23 balls, 2×4, 8×6) then stitched a 81-run partnership for the second wicket which put them on solid ground. Urvil Patel went after the Lucknow bowlers as he scored at a whopping 282.60 strike rate.

Urvil Patel made 65 to put Chennai Super Kings on the path of victory against Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidamabaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday eveningUrvil Patel is now joint record holder for the fastest 50s in IPL. He got his 50 in 13 balls and ties up with Yashasvi Jaiswal who also got it in 13 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2023 season

Though Chennai wobbled a bit losing Kartik Sharma (20) and Dewald Brevis (10), Shivam Dube (15) and Prashant Veer (17) got them the much needed two points from the game.

“Felt good, bit tight in the end but nice to get over the line and get two points on the board. It was just doing what I have been doing well – keeping it at the top of the stumps and trying to make them hit (off that length). Nice to get a couple of wickets and to get Josh out at that point was crucial. (On what he works on) Working all the time with Eric. Just about cleaning it up (and being more accurate). The way I have to bowl in India is very different to every other part of the world. Just about doing what you have been doing well. Batters are allowed to hit good shots. As long as you are able to control what you can control. (On his body) Feeling good, a few niggles here and there, but we keep pushing on,” said Jamie Overton, who was named Player of the Match.

Jamie Overton celebrates a wicket on Sunday. He took three for 36 to restrict Lucknow to 203 for eight

“It was a great game. Everything was coming up nicely. We knew we would be put under pressure in the powerplay. When you come to Chennai, that is the kind of cricket you expect. Felt there was enough on the board. Fielding standards have to be up there, too many dropped catches. Urvil played a fantastic and unbelievable knock, like Inglis for us. The team showed character (to come back). Definitely few areas to work on but kudos to CSK – they held their nerve better than us,” said Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant.

Brief scores: Lucknow Super Giants 203 for eight in 20 overs (Josh Inglis 85, Shahbaz Ahmed 43 not out; Jamie Overton 3/36, Anshul Kamboj 2/47) lost to Chennai Super Kings 208 for five in 19.2 overs (Sanju Samson 28, Ruturaj Gaikwad 42, Urvil Patel 65, Kartik Sharma 20; Shahbaz Ahmed 2/30, Digvesh Rathi 2/45).