TATA IPL 2024: Stoinis' Maiden Century Leads Lucknow to Thrilling Win Over Chennai

Marcus Stoinis achieved his debut IPL century, leading Lucknow Super Giants to a six-wicket triumph over Chennai Super Kings in Match 39 of the Indian Premier League at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Joining the crease after the early dismissal of the first wicket, Stoinis showcased an exceptional performance, smashing an unbeaten 124 off 63 balls as Lucknow Super Giants reached 213/4. Earlier, Ruturaj Gaikwad's impressive knock of 108 not out from 60 balls propelled Chennai Super Kings to a total of 210/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

KL Rahul maintained a strike rate of 125.49 during the Power-play but then escalated to 185.11 afterward, indicating his threatening form once more. Despite an early setback, Rahul and Marcus Stoinis steadied Lucknow Super Giants' chase. However, their momentum was halted by Mustafizur Rahman. Despite hitting a boundary earlier in the over, Rahul attempted another big shot but couldn't clear Gaikwad at extra cover, departing after scoring 16 runs. Meanwhile, Stoinis has been carrying the burden of keeping Lucknow Super Giants competitive almost single-handedly. He reached his fifty off 26 balls, comprising six fours and two sixes. However, the task ahead remains challenging. After 10 overs, Lucknow Super Giants were 83/2, needing 128 runs from the remaining ten overs. 

The sole reason LSG opted to chase was the dew in the second half. And it seemed to be making a difference as a couple of overs ago, Tushar Deshpande bowled a high no-ball. If there was more evidence needed, a cutter into the pitch from Mustafizur came onto the bat nicely - Stoinis hit it straight off the back foot. Shardul Thakur bowled the 16th over. Pooran and Stoinis knew they had to make it a big one because the remaining four were to be bowled by Mustafizur and Pathirana. Pooran made sure LSG didn't miss out and smashed the first three balls for 6, 4, 6. In all, 20 came from it. 

Pooran attempted to take on Pathirana but ended up mistiming his shot, resulting in a catch by Shardul Thakur at long-off. Deepak Hooda stepped in as the new batsman and promptly hit his second delivery for a six over deep square leg. Meanwhile, Stoinis achieved his debut IPL century off 56 balls. With Lucknow Super Giants needing 17 runs from the final over bowled by Mustafizur Rahman, Stoinis took charge. He dispatched the first ball over long-on and followed it with a boundary straight back past the bowler. Stoinis received some fortune as the next delivery narrowly evaded the short third man fielder. On the subsequent ball, Stoinis adjusted his position and pulled a short delivery over backward square leg, securing victory for Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets with three balls to spare.

Stoinis made history by surpassing Paul Valthaty's record for the highest individual score in an IPL chase, previously set at 120* in 2011 against CSK, with his remarkable unbeaten 124 off 63 deliveries. Prior to this match, in three previous games, no team had managed to defeat CSK at Chepauk this season. Additionally, no team had successfully chased down a target of 211 at this venue. However, in the same match, Lucknow Super Giants achieved this feat, propelled by Marcus Stoinis' magnificent century.