Match Center

Right then, that is it from this one-sided affair where Lucknow get their third win in a row while Gujarat will need to come back stronger in the upcoming games. Next up in the Indian T20 League is a high-voltage clash between Chennai and Kolkata. That match will be played on 8th April, Monday at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Yash Thakur is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his senseational five-wicket haul. He says that he didn't think that he would get five wickets. Adds that Shubman Gill was trying to make room but KL Rahul told him to stick to the plan and it paid off in the end. Says unfortunately Mayank Yadav got injured but the skipper put the faith in him and said it was his time to deliver. Mentions that there is always a fire inside to best a team you haven't beaten before. End up by saying he enjoyed the wicket of Gill the most.

KL Rahul, the victorious skipper of Lucknow reflects on the team's win, downplaying its significance. He highlights the benefit of batting first for their young bowling group to understand the pitch conditions. Rahul acknowledges the team's good record at home, attributing it to the low-scoring nature of the ground and the bowlers' ability to adapt. He praises the bowlers for their growth over the years, emphasizing their understanding of pitch conditions, which he discusses with them both on and off the field.

Gujarat captain Shubman Gill expresses his thoughts on the match, acknowledging the quality of the batting surface while lamenting his team's poor performance with the bat. Despite getting off to a decent start, Gujarat faltered in the middle overs, failing to regain momentum. However, Gill praises his bowlers for restricting the opposition to 163 runs, highlighting their impressive effort on what he believed to be a good batting track. He noted that they had anticipated a higher score from the opposition but were pleased with their bowlers' ability to limit them to a lower total.

Presentation Time...

Krunal Pandya is up for a quick chat. He shares his insights after the match, stating that despite having only two balls to face, he consulted his teammates about the pitch conditions. According to Nicholas Pooran, it was a good wicket, but Pandya felt they fell short by 15-20 runs. He emphasized bowling to the opposition's strengths and weaknesses, preferring to concede runs over mid-wicket rather than through the off-side. Pandya expresses confidence in executing plans and trusting the process. Regarding Mayank Yadav's situation, he briefly interacted with him and believes Yadav is fit to continue in future matches, noting Yadav's good form in the nets and previous seasons before missing due to injury.

Earlier in the game, Lucknow posted a fighting total on a tricky wicket. Marcus Stoinis scored a fine half-century while quick cameos from Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran towards the end helped them get to that score. Umesh Yadav was excellent for Gujarat picking up a couple of wickets in the Powerplay while Darshan Nalkande also got two. Noor Ahmad was pretty economical while Rashid Khan chipped in with one as well. While chasing, the visitors were in the chase till the Powerplay, but an extraordinary collapse cost them the game in the end.

Lucknow, on the other hand will be extremely pleased with their bowling effort. They were a bit expensive in the Powerplay but Yash Thakur provided them with a crucial breakthrough by getting rid of Shubman Gill. It was then followed up by a stunning catch from Ravi Bishnoi on his own bowling to get the wicket of Kane Williamson. After that, they just took control of the game and never allows their opposition to come back. Krunal Pandya was absolutely sensational in the middle overs picking up three wickets and giving away just 11 runs. Yash Thakur then came back and bowled the first double-wicket maiden of this season which only made matters worse for Gujarat. It was once again Yash Thakur who finished the job with a magnificent fifer.

Gujarat got off to a good start in the Powerplay with Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill scoring over 50 runs. However, the wicket of the captain on the last ball of the sixth over completely changed the momentum of the game. The visitors went from 54 for none to 61/4 which put them well behind the game. A couple of questions could be asked about the shot selection of the batters as they were not chasing a big target here. They never really recovered from that and failed to build up any significant partnerships losing wickets at regular intervals as well. Rahul Tewatia played a few lusty blows towards the end but that was never going to be enough as they ultimately fell short by 33 runs.

Take a bow, Yash Thakur! He wrapped things up with a scintillating five-wicket haul here. It is the first one of this seas9n and that means that Lucknow has beaten Gujarat for the first time in this competition. They also make it three wins on the trot. It was another brilliant performance from them as they successfully defended a target in three consecutive games. They are looking like a solid unit with all the departments clicking on nicely. Gujarat will be disappointed with this defeat as the target was not a big one but their batters made a mess of this run chase.

OUT! CAUGHT! Yash Thakur gets his first FIVE WICKET HAUL in the Indian T20 League! Drops the ball short at the batter and Noor Ahmad looks to play the pull but gets a top edge straight up in the air. Quinton de Kock takes the catch at min on and Lucknow win the match by 33 runs.

FOUR! Noor Ahmad gets a boundary off the first ball of his innings! Off cutter from Yash Thakur into the wicket and Noor Ahmad plays an upper cut over the head of KL Rahul and the ball runs away to the fence.

Noor Ahmad is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Yash Thakur gets his Fourth wicket and sends back Rahul Tewatia back to the hut! Drops the ball short at the batter and Rahul Tewatia pulls it away again but this time straight to Nicholas Pooran at deep square leg who takes an easy catch. Gujarat now 9 down.

SIX! BANG! Rahul Tewatia lines up the leg side and slogs the slower ball from Yash Thakur, pitched up on the off stump, over deep mid-wicket for  a brilliant SIX!

Fuller on the pads of Rahul Tewatia who flicks the ball to deep square leg and does not take the single.

Pulls away another short ball to deep mid-wicket for a single. Gujarat now need 44 runs in 12 balls.