Punjab Kings strengthened their position at the top of the points table by defeating Lucknow Super Giants by 54 runs in Mullanpur on Sunday, April 19.
Rishabh Pant won the toss on Sunday and invited Punjab to bat first. Mohammed Shami quickly hit a four by dismissing Prabhsimran Singh on the third ball of the game. However, this brought Cooper Connolly to the crease, who lit up the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium with a brilliant inning of 182 runs off 80 balls.
Arya and Connolly scored 93 (37) and 87 (46) respectively during a thrilling display of ball-striking. Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera also scored crucial runs towards the end of the innings to help the hosts finish at 254/7.
In reply, Lucknow had a steady start and Ayush Badoni and Mitchell Marsh added 61 runs in six overs. However, after getting set, no batsman could take advantage of it. Rishabh Pant and Aiden Markram tried to keep LSG in the hunt while chasing an impossible target, but they had a huge task at hand. Pant and Markram were out for 43 and 42 runs respectively.
In the end, Lucknow finished at 200/5. For Punjab, Marco Jansen bowled with figures of 2/37 in his four-over spell. This is Lucknow's third consecutive defeat and fourth overall.
talking points
1. Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly dominate
cooper connolly Twice left in the second over of the match. As for the LBW call, Rishabh Pant did not take DRS, resulting in the Australian batsman returning to the pavilion after covering a long distance. Two balls later, Connolly got another reprieve when Mohsin Khan dropped his catch on his own ball. Priyansh Arya was also dismissed for 63 runs, but that was a tough chance. If you give chances to dangerous batsmen like Arya and Connolly, you will have to pay. This was exactly the situation on Sunday when they made a record-breaking partnership of 182 runs in just 80 balls.
2. Prince Yadav dominates batting
Prince Yadav bowled brilliantly even when his fellow bowlers were being clean bowled. The right-arm fast bowler has impressed fans and experts with his excellent bowling performances throughout the season. On Sunday, he bowled four overs and gave only 25 runs. This young player also took the wickets of Cooper Connolly and Shashank Singh.
3. Too much shuffling in the batting order is hurting LSG
In their first game, LSG opened with Mitchell Marsh alongside Rishabh Pant. However, he abandoned that plan in the next game and returned to the Markram-Marsh combination. On Sunday, he opened with Australian T20 captain Ayush Badoni and sent Markram in at No. 5. LSG need to sort out their batting order quickly. Nicholas Pooran's poor form is also not good for him.
PBKS vs LSG: Who said what?
Rishabh Pant, LSG Captain
(How's your left elbow?) I think the left arm is getting better, but I got a new tattoo today (a scar on the right arm), so I'm thinking about getting something done again (smiling). (Where did it go wrong today?) Look, it is difficult to pinpoint any one area because, the bowlers are performing well, but at the same time, there are areas of concern too. But there were some positive aspects to working for us. There were some glimpses of batting, which we talked about. Will definitely try to take some positives, but at the same time, as a team, we will perform well in each match. (The thinking behind sending Ayush Badoni as an opener) I think the idea was just to go out there and play freely. This was not taken today itself. It was already decided that he was going to open. It was just something we kept inside. We wanted some freedom at the top and the middle order also wanted to contribute. (You've got to have players to replace it) Definitely, we definitely have confidence in this team. But at the same time when the opposition is playing well, like Punjab is playing right now, you have to give them credit for playing good hard cricket. (Good luck to you in solving this puzzle) Thanks Boss. We will keep (it) positive.
Shreyas Iyer, PBKS captain
(How did the partnership make you feel while you were watching it?) At first, it was extraordinary. Some of the shots that I saw were, frankly, hair-raising. Hitting fast bowlers straight off the backfoot, and spinners too – it requires a lot of courage and composure at the same time, because things can slip at any time. But the way he built partnerships, especially in the middle overs, was sensational. (How much do you as a team discuss what you need to be a really good six-hitting team from top to middle?) I was just talking with Cooper and Priyansh at the moment, and we said let's have a competition in this IPL to see who hits the most sixes. We are ready for it and the prize will be my bat. So it doesn't mean anything special, but at the end of the day, as long as they keep performing and I keep performing, I'm happy. I personally feel that when you let them be themselves, let them go out and express themselves, they tend to do things at that time. So this has been our mantra till now. I don't tell them how to play their specific innings against different teams. I think they've set their patterns, and each person on the team has their own routines and processes that they follow – and they're delivering results. So I don't need to say much. We just talk, Ricky motivates just before the game, I also say a few words and of course the boys come and perform well. (How satisfied were you with the way the middle overs went?) I think most of the bowlers in our team are international level players, and you have seen them perform brilliantly for their respective teams at the international level. He also has immense experience. Then again, I don't need to tell them much. We discuss, we have a set of plans against certain batsmen, and it's all about execution. I personally feel that today, the way they bowled – and the way they have been bowling all season – was sensational. They just have to keep executing and not become complacent at any point. (Here in New Chandigarh it is being made like a fort?) Yes, of course. I think whenever we come and see the wicket before the game, we feel very happy that we are a part of this team. Last year also we had to consider how we will come into this season and see how we take wickets and also support our batsmen as well as bowlers. so far so good.
Priyansh Arya, Player of the Match (Translated from Hindi)
(What was the most satisfying thing about this innings?) Today I batted a little beyond the powerplay and contributed as much as I could for my team. This gave me great satisfaction. (What kind of preparation is done to hit a six?) No, sir, I do not practice hitting sixes that much. I just practice timing the ball as well as I can and that helps me with my batting. (Also tell us about your fitness routine) Yes sir, Anand sir and Birla bhaiya, who are our trainers, have been working with us for the last six months. Whatever schedule they send me, I follow it and it has helped me a lot. You looked completely surprised when Connolly was struggling at the beginning. Is this your normal mindset?) Yes sir, if we talk too much then a lot of thoughts come to my mind. I think it would be better if we don't talk much, then we will be able to play with a clear mind. (Was there any shot that you particularly enjoyed?) Sir, I hit a six over point with a slash shot.
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