STATS HIGHLIGHTS
Follow UsFollowing a low and slow scoring match in Match 6 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Match 7 had a completely different pace. To be precise, the perfect T20 pace.
After winning the toss, Lucknow skipper KL Rahul, went with the trend and chose to bowl first. But, his decision proved to be costly as Chennai were off to a blistering start. Though Ruturaj Gaikwad failed again, Chennai scored 73 runs for the loss of one wicket. The best part about their batting was, every one of their batters contributed well, apart from Gaikwad. Robin Uthappa was the highest scorer with 50 off 27 balls. Each of their batter from three to seven scored over 15 runs at a strike rate of over 135. Hence, Chennai were able to score 210.
In reply, Lucknow were off to a similar start. Rahul and Quinton de Kock forged a 99-run opening partnership of 62 balls. A platform was set for Evin Lewis and he capitalized to his best. His unbeaten knock of 23-ball 55 set the chase on fire. Ayush Badoni finished it off in style with an unbeaten nine-ball 19 and helped Lucknow chase the target. Here are a few stats from the match:
Chennai batsmen were off to a flier
It was an exceptional batting strip at Brabourne and Chennai batsmen made merry out of it. Though Gaikwad missed out in consecutive matches, Uthappa and Moeen Ali were relentless against the Lucknow bowlers.
Uthappa was the major destroyer as he scored 45 runs out of the 73 scored by Chennai in the first six overs. While batting first, the 45 runs scored by Uthappa is the joint best for Chennai batter alongside Matthew Hayden in 2009. Also, the 73 runs scored by Chennai, is their highest powerplay score while batting first in IPL.
Dhoni starts with bang
Off late, it is universally known that, Dhoni takes a bit of time to get things going, the first match against Kolkata was the recent example. However, today wasn’t the case.
Coming into bat in the 19th over, Dhoni smashed a six over covers in the first ball he faced. For the first time in his IPL career, Dhoni had achieved this feat. In addition, en route his unbeaten innings of six-ball 16, he also reached 7000 T20 runs, making him the sixth among Indians to reach 7k runs. While fielding, he added another record to his name when he took the catch of de Kock. He registered his 200th catch in T20s, which is the most for an Indian.
Lucknow’s late flourish
Thanks to their openers, Rahul and de Kock, Lucknow were off to a brilliant start to the chase. However, after the dismissal of Rahul in the 11th over, Lucknow were under trouble for a brief time.
Lewis was doing the bulk of the scoring in the phase between overs 11-15, but Lucknow were losing wickets at the other end. In any case, Chennai were left with two overs from weak link bowlers. Lewis and Ayush Badoni made full use of it as they carted Shivam Dube for 25 runs in the 19th over. Eventually, Lucknow were able to gun down 67 runs in the last five overs, which is the highest for a team while chasing against Chennai in IPL.
Lucknow chase the 2nd highest target against CSK
Chennai are one of those teams against whom chasing big targets are difficult. Lucknow in this match have somewhat done the unthinkable.
After setting a mammoth total of 211, Lucknow were left with a daunting task and their batsmen were up to it. By virtue of chasing the target of 211, Lucknow registered the second highest chase against Chennai in IPL. Mumbai Indians in 2011, chased 219 in Delhi, which still remains the highest.
Dwayne Bravo topples Lasith Malinga
The champion bowler of Chennai, Bravo is now one of the most decorated bowlers in the history of IPL. In his previous match, with three wickets to his name, Bravo leveled Malinga for most wickets in IPL.
In his match against Lucknow, in his first over itself, he had created an opportunity and could have gone past Malinga, but Moeen shelled a simple catch at covers. However, in his last over, by dismissing Deepak Hooda, Bravo registered his 171st wickets in IPL and went past Malinga’s 170.
The second highest score at Brabourne
Both the matches played at the Brabourne stadium have been high scoring encounters. In the first match, Mumbai scored 177 in the first innings and Delhi Capitals chased it down with four wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare.
In match seven, the scores were even higher. Batting first, Chennai scored 210, which at that time became the second highest total at the venue in IPL. After Lucknow chased the target, their score of 211/4 became the second highest total. Mumbai in 2010 had scored 212 against Rajasthan Royals, which remains the highest at the venue in IPL.
