Akash Madhwal 5/5 knocks out LSG, puts MI in Qualifier 2

Tags: Indian T20 League 2023, Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians, Eliminator at Chennai, May 24, 2023, Mumbai XI, Lucknow XI

Published on: May 25, 2023

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer Akash Madhwal ran through Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batting with figures of 5/5 in 3.3 overs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 Eliminator match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, May 24. Thanks to Madhwal’s brilliance, MI crushed LSG by 81 runs to seal their place in Qualifier 2 and knock out Lucknow.

Mumbai Indians won the toss and batted first, posting 182/8 on the board. Openers Ishan Kishan (15) and Rohit Sharma (11) perished cheaply, but Cameron Green (41 off 23) and Suryakumar Yadav (33 off 20) lifted MI, featuring in a third-wicket partnership of 66 runs.

LSG fought back courtesy of Naveen-ul-Haq (4/38), who dismissed both Green and Suryakumar in the same over. While SKY was outdone by a slower ball and ended up giving a catch, Green was cleaned up by an off-cutter.

Tim David (13) fell to a high full toss from Yash Thakur (3/34). However, good contributions from Tilak Varma (26 off 22) and Impact Player Nehal Wadhera (23 off 12) ensured Mumbai crossed the 180-run mark.

In the chase, Lucknow lost Prerak Mankad for 3 to Madhwal in the second over. Kyle Mayers (18) then miscued a big hit off Chris Jordan. The only time LSG seemed in the hunt in the chase was when Marcus Stoinis (40 off 27) and Krunal Pandya (8) added 46 for the third wicket.

The partnership was broken when Krunal was caught at long on, following a failed attempt to take on leg-spinner Piyush Chawla. Ayush Badoni (1) was then knocked over by Madhwal, who also sent back Nicholas Pooran for a golden duck to leave LSG reeling at 74/5.

LSG batters further aided Mumbai’s cause as Stoinis, Krishnappa Gowtham (2) and Deepak Hooda (15) were all run out in quick succession - the chasing side committing literal hara-kiri. Madhwal ended the game on a fitting note, cleaning up Mohsin Khan with a yorker and completing his five-wicket haul.

Reflecting on his stupendous bowling performance, Player of the Match Madhwal said, “I have been practicing a lot and waiting for my opportunity. I have done engineering, cricket is my passion and I have been waiting for this since 2018.

“When we practice in the nets, the management gives us the target and we try to execute our best. Hoping to do well in the coming games and want to end up as champions. The wicket of Nicholas Pooran was most pleasing for me,” he concluded.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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