PBKS vs LSG: Joking about distinction between Mohali and Lucknow pitches, says Marcus Stoinis after LSG hit file 257

By India Today Sports Desk: 6 days previously, Marcus Stoinis acquired out for a first-ball duck throughout the remaining over as Lucknow Super Giants imploded in one of many unbelievable manners in an IPL 2023 match in opposition to Gujarat Titans at Lucknow. Chasing 136, Lucknow had been cruising at 106 for 2 on the end of the sixteenth over with their captain KL Rahul batting on a fifty nonetheless they misplaced 5 wickets for merely 22 runs throughout the last 4 overs, succumbing to the defending champions in entrance of the home crowd that was left further baffled than dissatisfied.

However, on April 28, Marcus Stoinis higher than made up for his incapacity to ship finally in opposition to Gujarat Titans as he hit 72 in merely 40 balls, smashing 5 sixes in Lucknow Super Giants’ record-breaking win over Punjab Kings in Mohali.

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Stoinis hit 5 sixes and 6 boundaries as he tore into the Punjab Kings bowling assault after Kyle Mayers had set the tone with a 24-ball 54. He stitched an 89-run stand with youthful Ayush Badoni, who was moreover entering into sixth gear for his 24-ball 43.

After Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran took over and smashed a 19-ball 45 as LSG posted 257, the 2nd-highest full throughout the historic previous of the IPL and the Ninth-highest ever in T20 cricket.

Shedding mild on the change in fortunes for LSG with the bat after bagging the Player of the Match award, Marcus Stoinis acknowledged the blokes throughout the dressing room had been joking regarding the change in nature of the surfaces in Mohali and Lucknow.

“We were joking about that talking about the different between our surface at home and this beautiful batting wicket,” Stoinis acknowledged after captain KL Rahul clarify how the LSG batters’ eyes lit up after seeing the pitch in Mohali on Friday.

FINGER IS ALRIGHT: STOINIS

Furthermore, Stoinis acknowledged he and Badoni did not depend on that they’d end up with 257 on the board all through their third wicket partnership.

“We were just trying to build a partnership. He got off to a flyer, was hitting some nice shots and he’s a very talented player. We were just trying to keep building on that and that was our only focus. I do enjoy the responsibility of batting a bit lower and seeing the game home,” he added.

Stoinis picked up the big wicket of Punjab Kings captain as early as the first over of their defence nonetheless he picked up an injury after making an attempt to stop a boundary hit throughout the 2nd over.

Stoinis had his finger taped and acknowledged he’ll stay up for scans sooner than understanding the extent of the injury.

“The finger is alright. It is better now. We will get scans done,” he added.

LSG leapfrogged Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings after their 57-run win in Mohali. They will return to Lucknow on Monday to face Royal Challengers Bangalore.