Kamal Ghorui
A high-octane Sunday double-header in the Indian Premier League delivered contrasting yet equally gripping contests, as Lucknow Super Giants edged past Sunrisers Hyderabad in a last-over thriller, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a batting masterclass to outclass Chennai Super Kings.
Shami, Pant script LSG’s nervy chase
In Hyderabad, Mohammed Shami and Rishabh Pant starred in Lucknow Super Giants’ tense five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.Shami’s sensational opening spell (2-9) ripped through the top order, reducing SRH to 26/4 inside the powerplay. He dismissed Abhishek Sharma for a duck and Travis Head for seven off successive deliveries, setting the tone early.Despite the collapse, SRH fought back through a brilliant 116-run stand between Heinrich Klaasen (62) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (56), lifting the total to 156/9. However, once the duo departed, the innings lost momentum, with Prince Yadav and Avesh Khan providing crucial support to Shami.LSG’s chase began briskly but faltered in the middle overs. Aiden Markram contributed 45, but quick wickets, including Nicholas Pooran’s run-out, left the game hanging in balance.Needing nine off the final over, Pant held his nerve, smashing three boundaries off Jaydev Unadkat to seal victory with one ball to spare, finishing unbeaten on 68 and guiding LSG to their first win of the season.
Tim David’s six-hitting carnage powers RCB
At the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Tim David unleashed a breathtaking assault, smashing eight sixes in a 25-ball unbeaten 70 to power Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a commanding 43-run win over Chennai Super Kings.After being put into bat, RCB piled up a daunting 250/3 — the highest total of the season — with key contributions from Virat Kohli (28), Phil Salt (46), Devdutt Padikkal (50) and skipper Rajat Patidar (48 not out).David’s late onslaught, including a brutal 30-run 19th over against Jamie Overton, helped RCB plunder 97 runs in the final five overs.In reply, Chennai Super Kings faltered early, losing captain Ruturaj Gaikwad cheaply. While Sarfaraz Khan (50), Prashant Veer (43) and Overton (37) showed resistance, the target proved too steep as they were bowled out for 207 in 19.4 overs.RCB’s bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s three wickets, sealed a comprehensive win that keeps them atop the standings with two victories from two matches.After two action-packed double-header weekends, the tournament shifts gears with a single fixture on Monday, where Kolkata Knight Riders host Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens, aiming to avoid a third successive loss.
