AI Simulation, LSG vs CSK | Samson and Dube steer Chennai through tense Lucknow chase
Chennai Super Kings keep themselves alive in the playoffs race by defeating Lucknow once again. Sanju Samson played a composed half-century knock, while Shivam Dube finished the game in style as the team went past LSG at a tricky surface.
Pitch and Weather
The match will be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, which is expected to be two paced, as stroke play gets difficult when the ball gets old. Pacers who will be using cutters and spinners who vary their pace will turn out to be effective at this venue in the middle overs. The first innings average score at this ground is expected to be 165-175. Weather conditions for this game are dry and warm with minimal dew.
Toss
Chennai Super Kings wins the toss and decides to bowl first, aiming to use the early seam conditions and chase when the dew arrives.
Lineups
Lucknow Super Giants: Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (C), Aiden Markram, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Avesh Khan (Impact)
Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Dian Forrester, Akeal Hosein, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Veer (Impact)
Match Report
Lucknow Super Giants were not able to start this game well, as Mukesh Choudhary dismissed Mitchell Marsh in the second over. Josh Inglis was able to counterattack with his stroke play, as Nicholas Pooran attacked the spinners to help the team score 49/2 in the powerplay.
The surface slowed down to a great extent in the middle overs. Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein bowled some tight spells, as they even removed Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant in quick succession. Aiden Markram was able to stabilize the innings by scoring a quick 41, but Chennai was finding wickets quickly. Shahbaz Ahmed gave a late cameo which helped the team to score 162/8.
In reply, Chennai Super Kings started with care as Mohammed Shami was finding some movement under the lights. Sanju Samson was given an early chance with a dropped catch, as he accelerated with Gaikwad to help the team score 52/1 in the powerplay.
The turning point arrived with Digvesh Rathi when he dismissed Brevis and Gaikwad in consecutive overs. Shivam Dube was able to accelerate the innings from 91/4, as he targeted Prince Yadav and Shahbaz Ahmed with his hitting. CSK needed 24 runs off 3 overs, when Dube smashed 2 sixes against Avesh Khan and Samson finished the chase. CSK scored 166/5 in 19.2 overs.
Player of the Match
Sanju Samson wins the Player of the Match award for scoring 68 runs off 46 balls, which helped CSK to chase down the total.