Stoinis’ stellar performance for the Super Giants leaves the Super Kings reeling
Marcus Stoinis achieved his first-ever century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.
The Australian all-rounder reached his century in just 56 balls and played a pivotal role in guiding LSG to a 6-wicket victory over CSK. Stoinis remained unbeaten on 124 from 63 deliveries, smashing 13 fours and six sixes as LSG achieved a record run chase at the Chepauk in 19.3 overs. His remarkable innings also marked the highest individual score in an IPL run-chase.
The Australian’s imposing 6’1″ stature harbors immense power, evident in his aggressive stroke play as he effortlessly dispatched boundaries and sixes. One standout moment was his towering six off pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who had earlier dismissed LSG skipper KL Rahul inexpensively.
Rahman delivered an off-cutter slightly fuller on the off-stump from over the wicket, but Stoinis defied the laws of physics with a straight, powerful crunch over the bowler’s head for a maximum.
Meanwhile, Pooran wasted no time in accelerating his innings from the outset, spurred on by the solid 55-run partnership between Stoinis and a struggling Devdutt Padikkal (13, 19 balls), whose difficulties came to an end when Pathirana bowled a searing delivery at 151 kmph to dismantle the batter’s leg stump.
With Stoinis, Pooran stitched together a crucial 70-run partnership. Pooran, aware of the urgency to maintain momentum, seized the opportunity and hammered Shardul Thakur for 20 runs in the 16th over, including two sixes and a boundary.
After Pooran’s dismissal by pacer Matheesha Pathirana, the responsibility of steering LSG to victory fell squarely on Stoinis. He efficiently chipped away at the required runs, plundering 15 runs off the 19th over delivered by the Sri Lankan bowler.
With 17 runs needed off the final over bowled by Rahman, Stoinis rose to the occasion. Displaying nerves of steel, he sealed the win with three balls to spare, hammering the Bangladeshi left-arm quick for a boundary, followed by a towering six, and then another two boundaries (including one off a no-ball).
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