Marcus Stoinis joined the ranks of centurions for LSG, becoming the third batter to achieve this feat in the IPL. His promotion to No. 3 proved pivotal for Lucknow during their match against CSK at the Chepauk stadium. Facing the challenge of chasing 211 runs for victory and aiming to secure a double over CSK, Stoinis stepped up to the occasion. His innings not only stabilized LSG’s early troubles but also propelled them towards their target with determination and skill.
Stoinis Maiden Ton Against CSK:
CSK amassed a formidable total of 210, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 108 and Shivam Dube’s brisk 60 off 27 balls. LSG faced early trouble when Quinton de Kock was dismissed for a duck, chopping a delivery from Deepak Chahar onto his stumps. Stoinis, tasked with quick runs, partnered with skipper KL Rahul to add 33 runs. However, Rahul, after his 82 in the previous game, fell to Mustafizur Rahman, hitting straight to Ruturaj.
Stoinis kickstarted his innings with a couple of boundaries off Deepak Chahar in the 3rd over and replicated the feat against Shardul Thakur in the final over of the powerplay. The Australian all-rounder then smashed a six off Ravindra Jadeja’s first over, showcasing his aggressive intent. He continued his assault by dismantling Moeen Ali in the subsequent over, demonstrating his ability to dominate multiple bowlers with his powerful strokes.
Stoinis reached his half-century in 33 deliveries but had to up the ante as Devdutt Padikkal struggled, managing only 13 runs off 19 balls. After Padikkal’s dismissal, Stoinis quickly found his rhythm, hitting a boundary and then targeting Tushar Deshpande with aggressive strokes. He accelerated further in the 13th over, striking a six and a boundary off Deshpande, while forming a strong partnership with Nicholas Pooran. Stoinis continued his onslaught, reaching the 80s with a six off Mustafizur Rahman, shifting the game’s balance.
Pooran’s aggressive batting against Shardul Thakur momentarily eased the pressure on Stoinis. However, Pooran’s dismissal shifted the focus back to Stoinis, who continued to attack. A boundary off Pathirana propelled Stoinis into the 90s, and a six off Mustafizur brought him to 98. With a double, he reached his century in 56 balls, comprising 9 boundaries and 5 sixes. Stoinis’ brilliant knock of 124 from 63 balls ultimately sealed the victory for LSG, triumphing by 6 wickets.
Marcus Stoinis to Equal With Rahul and De Kock:
Marcus Stoinis etched his name in the IPL history books as the third LSG player to register a century, showcasing his mettle against CSK at the Chepauk. Prior to Stoinis, KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock were the only LSG batters to achieve this feat. Rahul’s twin centuries came against MI in the 2022 season, while De Kock’s memorable 140-run innings was against KKR in the same campaign. Stoinis’ remarkable century adds to LSG’s legacy in the IPL, highlighting the team’s prowess in producing standout batting performances.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
