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Match number 68 of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) just concluded, between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). As Shreyas Iyer’s side performed a double over LSG, handing them a 7-wicket defeat in the reverse fixture on the night, they kept their playoff hopes alive by winning a match after six consecutive defeats.
It was a masterclass from Shreyas Iyer tonight as he scored his maiden century in the IPL. They won the toss and elected to bowl first and made two changes, bringing back Marco Jansen and Vishak Vijayakumar. For the Super Giants, they brought back debutants Mohammed Shami, Arshin Kulkarni and Arjun Tendulkar.
Josh Inglis solves LSG teething problems
After being invited to bat first, Arshin Kulkarni once again failed to take advantage of the opportunity and returned to the pavilion on a duck. Josh Inglis was once again the best batsman, sharing runs with Ayush Badoni as the latter returned with 43 runs. Inglis scored another half-century and scored 72 runs in 44 balls.
Abdul Samad scored 37 runs off 20 balls and Rishabh Pant scored 26 runs, helping LSG post 196/6 in 20 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal was the best bowler, ending his spell with 24/2 in his four overs.
Shreyas Iyer scored a brilliant century
Shreyas Iyer’s side were on the backfoot during the chase, with Priyansh Arya back on a golden duck, and Cooper Connolly also back on 18 with two quick wickets of Mohammed Shami, putting PBKS on the backfoot. But from there Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer made an important partnership.
There was a partnership of 140 runs between the two, in which Prabhsimran was out after scoring 69 runs. Shreyas Iyer did the finishing work with three more to win and six needed to score a century. He hit the ball out of the ground and scored his first IPL century and remained unbeaten on the score of 101* off 51 balls.
To be honest, I am very happy after scoring the first century- Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer looked happy after his century and was awarded the Player of the Match award. Shreyas became the third PBKS captain to score a century after KL Rahul (132* vs RCB, 2020) and Adam Gilchrist (106 vs RCB, 2011), and only the fourth captain overall to score a century in a run chase.
He said, “To be honest, I am very happy. It is my first century and came at the right time when the team needed it. We finally won after six consecutive defeats. It is very positive and hope to support MI tomorrow. Encouraged by their (bowlers) performance. Although we scored 16 runs in the first over. Azmat bowled brilliantly to bring the game back to us.”
“The first over he bowled, getting a wicket and saving those important runs. In this situation it’s all about momentum and bringing the game back, especially the way Yuzi came back and stopped the runs. He got the important wicket of Rishabh Pant. Congratulations to him, he gave away a lot of runs in the last game but he showed his character.”
Shreyas further added, “I know if I give myself some time in the middle and go up to the ball and give the ball as much time as possible, rather than going up to the ball and trying to score runs on a good ball. I think it is important for me to stay there as much as possible because then the runs keep coming. Prabh – the way he faced the bowlers, it takes two to tango.”
“He seriously showed us what he is capable of. He was active by nature and the communication we had in between was sensational. It’s an unreal feeling when you finish the game and score a century. All batsmen dream of it. Today was one of those days when I felt great. I was in a great mind. I knew what I wanted, knew how the wicket was playing.”
Also Read: “Namaskar Karo”: Fans go crazy after Shreyas Iyer registers his maiden IPL century against LSG
