LSG, setting in to bat first in Lucknow, did not get off to the start they would have wanted. While the pitch had early grip and bounce, CSK’s seasoned new-ball attack made sure they made the most of it, by the end of the powerplay, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran were back in the dugout and LSG were stumbling at 23/2.Then came the skipper. Rishabh Pant’s season has been somewhat erratic so far, but he played a different role with this knock. A composed, mature, and masterful 63 off 49 balls was a valuable contribution that kept the innings afloat. He rotated strike well and took advantage of anything loose, while displaying an admirable ability to channel and diffuse pressure. Mitchell Marsh contributed solidly as well, with a quick-fire 30 off 24, but it was hard to score boundaries in the middle overs of the innings.

Ravindra Jadeja is as reliable as they come, and while he struck a couple of times and strangled runs to finish with 2/24, the true strangler for LSG was Noor Ahmad. His bowling was outstanding, with long periods of economical over rates that weren’t even worth the effort to score from as he ended with 0/13 off 4 overs. LSG managed a consolation and competitive total of 166/7, which, while good, would not be above par against a batting-heavy CSK.