Lucknow Super Giants’ spinners dominated Sunrisers Hyderabad on a slow and dying black-soil pitch at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, setting up a five-wicket win. After winning the toss, Sunrisers’ Aiden Markram chose to bat, but the team struggled to post a total of only 121 for 8. Despite missing key players Mark Wood and Avesh Khan, Super Giants’ Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, and Amit Mishra delivered a combined total of 6 for 57 in just 12 overs, with Krunal dealing the most damage by dismissing Mayank Agarwal, Anmolpreet Singh, and Markram.
Super Giants’ chase began with KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers adding 35 runs in just 4.3 overs, before Mayers and Deepak Hooda fell in quick succession. However, Krunal stepped up to hit a 23-ball 34 and help Super Giants secure the victory with four overs to spare, sealed by Nicholas Pooran’s winning six.
The pitch’s nature was quickly evident, and spinners were the clear choice for bowling. Krunal was brought on by Rahul in the third over and immediately had Mayank Agarwal chipping one to extra-cover. Although Anmolpreet Singh and Rahul Tripathi adjusted to the surface’s slowness and hit four fours in eight balls, Krunal was able to slow the run rate by dismissing Anmolpreet and Markram off successive balls. The slow run rate continued, with the scoreboard moving at a glacial pace from overs 7 to 16. Although Tripathi and Washington Sundar prevented Sunrisers from losing wickets, Mishra’s catch off Tripathi’s attempted ramp shot in the 18th over and his subsequent dismissals of Washington and Rashid ensured that only Abdul Samad’s unbeaten 21 off 10 balls took Sunrisers past a run a ball.
With the availability of Quinton de Kock, there was some confusion over whether he or Mayers would open the innings with Rahul. However, Super Giants stuck with the same batting line-up, leaving de Kock out to the surprise of many. Although Mayers was unable to replicate his previous two-game heroics, he and Rahul provided a comfortable start for the team. Mayers was dismissed in the fifth over, followed by Hooda in the next over, but Super Giants remained confident in chasing the low target.
Krunal and Rahul formed a crucial partnership of 55 runs in 6.2 overs, with Krunal scoring at a strike rate of 147.82. They reached 100 in the 13th over before Krunal was caught behind off Umran Malik. Rashid then dismissed Rahul and Romario Shepherd lbw off successive deliveries, but Super Giants had already secured the win by then.
In conclusion, Super Giants’ spinners, despite missing key players, successfully dominated Sunrisers Hyderabad on a slow and dying pitch. Krunal played a pivotal role, picking up three crucial wickets and contributing 34 runs in the chase. Super Giants’ victory was set up by their effective bowling, which prevented Sunrisers from posting a high total, and their controlled batting, which enabled them to chase the target with ease.
Lucknow Super Giants 127/5 in 16 overs (Rahul 35, Krunal 34; Rashid 2-23) beats SunRisers Hyderabad 121/8 (Tripathi 35; Krunal 3-18) by 5 wickets
