Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL, 2024 Full score card

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Match 34, Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, 19 Apr, 2024

Chennai Super Kings

CSK

176/6

(20.0) ov

Lucknow Super Giants

LSG

180/2

(19.0) ov

Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets

Player Of The Match

KL Rahul,
Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants
Summary
Scorecard
Commentary
News
Lucknow Super Giants
Chennai Super Kings

Lucknow Super Giants • 180/2 (19.0 overs)

Rahul 82 (53)

de Kock 54 (43)

M Pathirana 1/29 (4)

M Rahman 1/43 (4)

Chennai Super Kings • 176/6 (20.0 overs)

R Jadeja 57 (40)

A Rahane 36 (24)

K Pandya 2/16 (3)

M Stoinis 1/7 (2)

Commentary

Right then, that is all from this entertaining affair where Lucknow came out on top. They would have loved to finish the game much earlier, which would have helped them sneak into the top four on the points table, but they stay fifth for now. Next up on Saturday, the 20th of April, the 2024 Indian T20 League heads to the capital city of Delhi for the first time. Rishabh Pant's Delhi will lock horns with Pat Cummins-led Hyderabad at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The game will commence at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as always, our build-up will begin much sooner. See you then. Cheers!

The captain of Lucknow, KL Rahul, is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Not only did he contribute with the bat, but he also contributed from behind the wickets with a stumping and a couple of catches. He expresses satisfaction with his team's performance, emphasizing the importance of making correct decisions. He credits the team for committing to their plans and executing them effectively, resulting in a successful outcome. Rahul discusses his strategy in deploying bowlers, highlighting the consideration of pitch conditions and opposition batters. He mentions the team's preparation through homework and tactical discussions, emphasizing the strategy to vary the bowling attack to unsettle the opposition. The captain commends the bowlers for their execution and attributes their success to the hard work put in during training sessions. He concludes by expressing delight in seeing the team adhere to the plans, indicating a cohesive and disciplined approach.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Marcus Stoinis of Lucknow reflects on their crucial victory, emphasizing its significance for the team. Despite facing Chennai again in two days, Stoinis expresses happiness over securing the win, crediting the team's overall performance. Regarding their bowling effort, Stoinis feels they could have restricted the opposition further, but acknowledges Chennai's strong finish, especially MS Dhoni's contribution. However, he highlights their batting prowess, praising KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran for their significant contributions.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of Chennai, reflects on the team's performance, acknowledging the strong finish but expressing a desire for more. Despite the promising start, Gaikwad feels that Chennai couldn't capitalize on the momentum after the powerplay, losing wickets at regular intervals. He believes they are about 10-15 runs short of what could have been an optimal total. Gaikwad acknowledges the challenge posed by the impact player rule, emphasizing the importance of additional runs in such situations. He notes that while the pitch initially felt sluggish, the conditions improved with the onset of dew, suggesting that a score of 180-190 could have been more competitive.

Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first by KL Rahul, Chennai were dealt an early blow in the form of Rachin Ravindra. They faced another setback as Yash Thakur got into the act to remove the Chennai skipper. Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja batted at a decent pace and ensured that there were no more casualties in the Powerplay. Rahane perished in trying to break free, and neither Shivam Dube nor the Impact Player, Sameer Rizvi, had a significant impact. Despite wickets falling around him, Jadeja held the innings together on a tricky surface that was on the slower side and notched up his first fifty of the season. Moeen Ali took his time before taking on Ravi Bishnoi for three consecutive sixes to inject momentum into the Chennai innings. After Moeen's departure, MS Dhoni teed off, as he has done throughout the season, to give his side the finishing kick. 63 runs came off the last four overs, taking Chennai to 176. For Lucknow, Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 2 for 16 from his three overs.

On the other hand, Chennai have succumbed to their third loss in as many as 4 matches away from home so far. Given the late flourish provided by MS Dhoni, Chennai had the momentum but could not really take it into their bowling effort. A wicket-less Powerplay left them scrambling for wickets in the middle overs. Matheesha Pathirana dropping Quinton de Kock when he was on 31, made matters worse for them. Mustafizur Rahman helped them break the opening stand but the game was pretty much done by then. They needed a couple of wickets more at that stage to stage a comeback but it did not happen and even though, they managed to dismiss KL Rahul later, it was nothing more than a consolation for Matheesha Pathirana and Chennai. Chennai now travel back home, where they will play three games back-to-back, the first of which will be against Lucknow, and Ruturaj Gaikwad and Co. will aim to avenge this defeat.

A happy homecoming for Lucknow as they return home and return to winning ways! A statement win from KL Rahul and his men against the five-time champions. Although they stay on 5th in the standings, this win has come at just the right time for Lucknow, who were coming off two consecutive defeats. Lucknow got off to an ideal start in their chase of 177 runs. KL Rahul took full advantage of the fielding restrictions, capitalizing on loose deliveries to score freely. Despite not being at his best, Quinton de Kock showed resilience and did well to hang in there. Both batters reached their half-centuries, laying a solid foundation for their team. With their 134-run opening stand, the highest by any team in this year's Indian T20 League, Lucknow were put in a match-winning position. It was then a matter of finishing the game quickly and boosting the net run rate, leading them to send Nicholas Pooran to the crease at the departure of de Kock. Rahul got out on 82 but Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis ensured that there were no more hiccups in the chase and got Lucknow over the line with an over to spare.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 180/2

N Pooran23 (12)

M Stoinis8 (7)

T Deshpande4-0-42-0

18.64

FOUR! Finishes off in style! Short ball from Tushar Deshpande outside the off stump line and Nicholas Pooran slashes it hard over the head of the point fielder and gets a boundary to win the match for his team. Lucknow win by 8 wickets with an over to spare.

18.61nb

NO BALL! Tushar Deshpande bowls a beamer towards Nicholas Pooran as he looks to play the upper cut and misses. The umpire signals NO BALL and Chennai take the review. Chennai review but the big screen shows that the ball is way over the waist height of Nicholas Pooran and is a NO BALL. Free Hit coming up with the scores tied.

18.51

Holds his length back at the batter. Marcus Stoinis flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket and runs a single.

18.42

Pitches the ball up outside the off stump line. Marcus Stoinis lofts the ball over covers and finds himself a couple.

18.30

Hits the length hard outside the off stump line. Marcus Stoinis looks to slog it towards mid-wicket but gets an inside edge back to MS Dhoni on the bounce.

18.31wd

WIDE! Only 5 required now for Lucknow as Tushar Deshpande has bowled another wide outside the off stump line.

18.31wd

WIDE! Wayward outside the line of the off stump. Wide called.

18.24

FOUR! Marcus Stoinis drives a fuller ball outside the off stump to perfection and finds the gap to the right of deep point for a boundary. 7 required now for Lucknow to win.

18.11

Pitched up on the stumps. Nicholas Pooran drives the ball to long on for a single.

Chennai have been penalised for a slow over rate, and they will be allowed only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle from hereon. It will be Tushar Deshpande to bowl the penultimate over. Can he take the game to the last over?

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 165/2

N Pooran18 (9)

M Stoinis1 (3)

M Pathirana4-0-29-1

17.61

Another ball fuller on the stumps and Nicholas Pooran flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

17.50

Fuller on the line of the stumps and Nicholas Pooran walks down to flick the ball but misses it. The ball hits him on the front pads and there is an appeal for LBW. The umpire says NO and Chennai take the review. The UltraEdge shows no bat involved at all and the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is pitched outside the line of the leg stump. Nicholas Pooran survives.

17.41

Nails a wide yorker outside off. Marcus Stoinis drives the ball to sweeper covers for a single to open his account.

17.32lb

LEG BYE! Fuller on the pads of Marcus Stoinis who looks to flick the ball but gets a hit on the pads outside the line of the leg stumps and the ball runs away to the fine leg area for a couple as Leg Byes.

17.20

Pitches the ball up on the stumps. Marcus Stoinis blocks it off the front foot towards mid-wicket.

Marcus Stoinis is in at number 4.

17.1W

OUT! CAUGHT! Ravindra Jadeja, you beauty! Perfectly times shot from KL Rahul, nothing wrong with that but Ravindra Jadeja plucks it with one hand out of thin air leaping and then tumbling to his left. Matheesha Pathirana drops it short and wide and KL Rahul executes the cut shot to perfection only to find Ravindra Jadeja at point.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 161/1

Rahul82 (52)

N Pooran17 (7)

M Rahman4-0-43-1

16.61

Short and wide outside off again. KL Rahul slaps the ball to deep backward point for a single to end the over.

16.54

FOUR! Slower ball again, fuller in length outside the line of the off stump. KL Rahul takes the front foot out and creams the ball into the gap behind point, along the ground, beating both the fielders at the boundary for a four.

16.41

Holds the length short at the stumps. Nicholas Pooran pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.30

Slower ball from a shorter length outside the off stump. Nicholas Pooran looks to cut it but misses the ball completely.

16.24

FOUR! Another yorker going for a boundary. Mustafizur Rahman misses his line and angles down the leg stump this time and Nicholas Pooran flicks the ball hard to the right of short fine leg and gets another boundary.

Commentary

We are back after the First innings Break! Lucknow all set to start their chase of 177 runs. The Umpires and the Players are back at the crease to start the second innings. KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock walk out as the openers for Lucknow. Deepak Chahar gets the new ball for Chennai.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Lucknow, now face a target of 177 to chase down in their allotted 20 overs. Will KL Rahul and his men be able to do it? Or will the Chennai bowlers turn things around and get 2 more points to move up the ladder? Let's find out in the upcoming chase.

Chennai's innings had a shaky start as they lost their opener Rachin Ravindra for a golden duck early on. However, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane steadied the ship with a promising partnership. But their progress was halted when Yash Thakur dismissed Gaikwad for 17 runs, breaking the building momentum. The promotion of Ravindra Jadeja to number four proved pivotal for Chennai as he played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings. Despite Shivam Dube and Sameer Rizvi's quick exits, Jadeja held firm, marshalling the lower middle order. Partnering with Moeen Ali, Jadeja propelled the innings forward, forming a vital partnership. Though Moeen Ali struggled initially, he found his rhythm with a flurry of sixes, contributing 30 runs before falling victim to a catch in the deep.

With MS Dhoni's signature flourish, Chennai wrapped up their innings, reaching a competitive total of 176/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Dhoni's quickfire unbeaten 28 off just 9 balls provided the finishing touches to a challenging innings. Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the backbone of the Chennai innings, playing a composed unbeaten knock of 57 runs, and anchoring the middle order with finesse.

Runs Scored 19 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 176/6

Dhoni28 (9)

R Jadeja57 (40)

Y Thakur4-0-45-1

19.64

FOUR! Sliced away and MS Dhoni finishes the innings in style! Chennai go past 175 and the crowd have got their money's worth, having witnessed another quickfire knock from Dhoni. Yash Thakur stays around the wicket and nails it on a fullish length, outside off, MS Dhoni sits deep in his crease and opens the bat face perfectly. Steers it to the left of backward point for a boundary to end the innings. 19 runs come off the final over and Lucknow have been made to pay for the slow over rate.

19.52

Almost in the blockhole by Thakur, at the stumps, MS Dhoni clears his front leg and whips it wide of deep mid-wicket. A wayward throw at the batting end results in Dhoni completing the second run with ease.

19.44

FOUR! Not where he intended but Chennai will take it any which way they come. Nails the yorker does Thakur, on off, MS Dhoni looks to go back over the bowler's head. Gets an outside edge that goes to the left of backward point for a boundary.

19.36

SIX! PICKED THE BONES OUT OF THAT! The crowd erupts as Dhoni deposits it into the stands. In the slot by Thakur from around the wicket, on off, MS Dhoni goes deep in his crease and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Can Chennai go past 175?

19.21

Low full toss, on off, Ravindra Jadeja drives it in front of mid off for a single. The crowd roars as MS Dhoni gets back on strike.

19.12

Tries to go for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Ravindra Jadeja drives it wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 157/6

Dhoni12 (5)

R Jadeja54 (38)

M Khan4-0-37-1

18.60

Swing and a miss! Slower and angling away, on a good length, outside off, MS Dhoni goes for a heave across the line but connects with thin air. Lucknow have been penalised for slow over rate and they will be allowed only 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the final over.

18.61wd

WIDE! This is on a shortish length, down leg, MS Dhoni goes for the pull but the ball sails over his head for a wide.

18.51

On a shortish length, on off, Ravindra Jadeja stays deep in the crease and slaps it wide of cover for a single.

18.40

Lucknow get the review right this time! Mohsin bends his back and bangs it into the deck, over off and middle, Ravindra Jadeja gets on his toes to ride the bounce and pull it front of square on the off side. The ball zips past the bat and goes through to the keeper. It is signalled wide as the umpire deems that the ball has gone over Jadeja's head. KL Rahul reviews and the replays confirm that the ball had not gone over the head of the batter and it will be a dot.

18.31

Angling across, on a back of a length, around off, MS Dhoni runs it down to deep third and rotates the strike. 13 runs off the over already with three balls to go.

18.26

SIX! Clever, very clever from the former Chennai skipper. Mohsin Khan goes short this time and lands it outside off, MS Dhoni premeditates and walks across his stumps nice and early. Swivels in the crease and glides it over the keeper. Uses the pace well and clears the fence for a maximum.

18.14

FOUR! Muscled away but it was not far away from the fielder in the deep. Slanting away from over the wicket, on a length, MS Dhoni extends his arms and thumps it flat to the right of deep cover. Ravi Bishnoi covers good ground and puts in a dive to his right but the ball evades him and goes away for a boundary.

18.11wd

WIDE! Angling away from the batter, at 123.4 kph, on a length, outside off, MS Dhoni extends his arms to go through the off side. The ball skids through and sneaks under the bat. Dhoni takes the review for wide not given. The third umpire deems that the ball was just outside the wide guideline. The decision has been overturned to wide.

18.11wd

WIDE! Mohsin tries to keep it away from the reach of Dhoni, goes beyond the tramline on off, on a length, left alone by MS Dhoni for a wide.

Runs Scored 19 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 142/6

Dhoni1 (1)

R Jadeja53 (36)

R Bishnoi4-0-44-1

17.61

Bishnoi errs in length and dishes out a low full toss, around off, MS Dhoni knocks it down to long off and opens his account with a single. A 10-run over followed by a 19-run over.

MS Dhoni walks out to bat for Chennai.

17.5W

OUT! TAKEN! Moeen Ali holes out this time but this has been a useful hand from the English all-rounder. Bishnoi goes back to bowling full, at the stumps, Moeen Ali tries to target the cow corner region this time. Does not get the distance this time and it goes only as far as deep mid-wicket where Ayush Badoni completes the catch over his head well in front of the ropes.

17.46

SIX! THREE IN THREE! Ravi Bishnoi bowls it flat and short, outside off, Moeen Ali hangs back in his crease and flat bats it. Clears the long off fence for the third six of the over and this is just the over Chennai were after.

17.36

SIX! This is even bigger! Bishnoi bowls the same line, around middle and leg, Moeen Ali gets down on one knee again and hammers the slog sweep over deep square leg for six more runs.

17.26

SIX! BANG! Moeen Ali gets the connection this time! Too straight from Bishnoi, full and right in the arc for the batter, Moeen Ali gets down and nails the slog sweep over deep square leg for a maximum.

17.10

On a fullish length, on the pads, Moeen Ali goes for the slog sweep but the ball is a bit too full for him to get underneath it and gets hit on the pads.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 123/5

M Ali12 (15)

R Jadeja53 (36)

M Khan3-0-22-1

16.61

A bit too straight from Mohsin, on a back of a length, around leg, Moeen Ali backs away and helps it to the left of fine leg for one more run. A better over for Chennai, 10 runs off it.

16.51

On a short of a length, on middle, Ravindra Jadeja pulls it down to deep backward square leg and rotates the strike.

Lucknow Super Giants
Chennai Super Kings
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
de Kock

c Dhoni b M Rahman

54 43 5 1 125.58
Rahul

c R Jadeja b M Pathirana

82 53 9 3 154.71
N Pooran

not out

23 12 3 1 191.66
M Stoinis

not out

8 7 1 0 114.28
Extras

(b 0,lb 3,w 9,nb 1,Penalty 0)

13
Total 19.0 (RR: 9.47)
180/2

Did not bat: D Hooda, A Badoni, K Pandya, M Henry, R Bishnoi, M Khan, Y Thakur

Fall of wickets:

(de Kock, 15 ov) (Rahul, 17.1 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
D Chahar
3 0 26 0 8.66
T Deshpande
4 0 42 0 10.50
M Rahman
4 0 43 1 10.75
R Jadeja
3 0 32 0 10.66
M Pathirana
4 0 29 1 7.25
M Ali
1 0 5 0 5.00
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
36 24 5 1 150
R Ravindra

b M Khan

0 1 0 0 0
R Gaikwad

c Rahul b Y Thakur

17 13 1 0 130.76
R Jadeja

not out

57 40 5 1 142.50
S Dube

c Rahul b M Stoinis

3 8 0 0 37.50

st Rahul b K Pandya

1 5 0 0 20
M Ali

c A Badoni b R Bishnoi

30 20 0 3 150
Dhoni

not out

28 9 3 2 311.11
Extras

(b 0,lb 1,w 3,nb 0,Penalty 0)

4
Total 20.0 (RR: 8.80)
176/6

Did not bat: D Chahar, T Deshpande, M Rahman, M Pathirana

Fall of wickets:

(R Ravindra, 1.1 ov) (R Gaikwad, 4.2 ov) (A Rahane, 8.1 ov) (S Dube, 11.1 ov) (S Rizvi, 12.2 ov) (M Ali, 17.5 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
M Henry
3 0 26 0 8.66
M Khan
4 0 37 1 9.25
Y Thakur
4 0 45 1 11.25
K Pandya
3 0 16 2 5.33
R Bishnoi
4 0 44 1 11.00
M Stoinis
2 0 7 1 3.50
Lucknow Super Giants
Chennai Super Kings

Commentary

Right then, that is all from this entertaining affair where Lucknow came out on top. They would have loved to finish the game much earlier, which would have helped them sneak into the top four on the points table, but they stay fifth for now. Next up on Saturday, the 20th of April, the 2024 Indian T20 League heads to the capital city of Delhi for the first time. Rishabh Pant's Delhi will lock horns with Pat Cummins-led Hyderabad at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The game will commence at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as always, our build-up will begin much sooner. See you then. Cheers!

The captain of Lucknow, KL Rahul, is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Not only did he contribute with the bat, but he also contributed from behind the wickets with a stumping and a couple of catches. He expresses satisfaction with his team's performance, emphasizing the importance of making correct decisions. He credits the team for committing to their plans and executing them effectively, resulting in a successful outcome. Rahul discusses his strategy in deploying bowlers, highlighting the consideration of pitch conditions and opposition batters. He mentions the team's preparation through homework and tactical discussions, emphasizing the strategy to vary the bowling attack to unsettle the opposition. The captain commends the bowlers for their execution and attributes their success to the hard work put in during training sessions. He concludes by expressing delight in seeing the team adhere to the plans, indicating a cohesive and disciplined approach.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Marcus Stoinis of Lucknow reflects on their crucial victory, emphasizing its significance for the team. Despite facing Chennai again in two days, Stoinis expresses happiness over securing the win, crediting the team's overall performance. Regarding their bowling effort, Stoinis feels they could have restricted the opposition further, but acknowledges Chennai's strong finish, especially MS Dhoni's contribution. However, he highlights their batting prowess, praising KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran for their significant contributions.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of Chennai, reflects on the team's performance, acknowledging the strong finish but expressing a desire for more. Despite the promising start, Gaikwad feels that Chennai couldn't capitalize on the momentum after the powerplay, losing wickets at regular intervals. He believes they are about 10-15 runs short of what could have been an optimal total. Gaikwad acknowledges the challenge posed by the impact player rule, emphasizing the importance of additional runs in such situations. He notes that while the pitch initially felt sluggish, the conditions improved with the onset of dew, suggesting that a score of 180-190 could have been more competitive.

Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first by KL Rahul, Chennai were dealt an early blow in the form of Rachin Ravindra. They faced another setback as Yash Thakur got into the act to remove the Chennai skipper. Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja batted at a decent pace and ensured that there were no more casualties in the Powerplay. Rahane perished in trying to break free, and neither Shivam Dube nor the Impact Player, Sameer Rizvi, had a significant impact. Despite wickets falling around him, Jadeja held the innings together on a tricky surface that was on the slower side and notched up his first fifty of the season. Moeen Ali took his time before taking on Ravi Bishnoi for three consecutive sixes to inject momentum into the Chennai innings. After Moeen's departure, MS Dhoni teed off, as he has done throughout the season, to give his side the finishing kick. 63 runs came off the last four overs, taking Chennai to 176. For Lucknow, Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 2 for 16 from his three overs.

On the other hand, Chennai have succumbed to their third loss in as many as 4 matches away from home so far. Given the late flourish provided by MS Dhoni, Chennai had the momentum but could not really take it into their bowling effort. A wicket-less Powerplay left them scrambling for wickets in the middle overs. Matheesha Pathirana dropping Quinton de Kock when he was on 31, made matters worse for them. Mustafizur Rahman helped them break the opening stand but the game was pretty much done by then. They needed a couple of wickets more at that stage to stage a comeback but it did not happen and even though, they managed to dismiss KL Rahul later, it was nothing more than a consolation for Matheesha Pathirana and Chennai. Chennai now travel back home, where they will play three games back-to-back, the first of which will be against Lucknow, and Ruturaj Gaikwad and Co. will aim to avenge this defeat.

A happy homecoming for Lucknow as they return home and return to winning ways! A statement win from KL Rahul and his men against the five-time champions. Although they stay on 5th in the standings, this win has come at just the right time for Lucknow, who were coming off two consecutive defeats. Lucknow got off to an ideal start in their chase of 177 runs. KL Rahul took full advantage of the fielding restrictions, capitalizing on loose deliveries to score freely. Despite not being at his best, Quinton de Kock showed resilience and did well to hang in there. Both batters reached their half-centuries, laying a solid foundation for their team. With their 134-run opening stand, the highest by any team in this year's Indian T20 League, Lucknow were put in a match-winning position. It was then a matter of finishing the game quickly and boosting the net run rate, leading them to send Nicholas Pooran to the crease at the departure of de Kock. Rahul got out on 82 but Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis ensured that there were no more hiccups in the chase and got Lucknow over the line with an over to spare.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 180/2

N Pooran23 (12)

M Stoinis8 (7)

T Deshpande4-0-42-0

18.64

FOUR! Finishes off in style! Short ball from Tushar Deshpande outside the off stump line and Nicholas Pooran slashes it hard over the head of the point fielder and gets a boundary to win the match for his team. Lucknow win by 8 wickets with an over to spare.

18.61nb

NO BALL! Tushar Deshpande bowls a beamer towards Nicholas Pooran as he looks to play the upper cut and misses. The umpire signals NO BALL and Chennai take the review. Chennai review but the big screen shows that the ball is way over the waist height of Nicholas Pooran and is a NO BALL. Free Hit coming up with the scores tied.

18.51

Holds his length back at the batter. Marcus Stoinis flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket and runs a single.

18.42

Pitches the ball up outside the off stump line. Marcus Stoinis lofts the ball over covers and finds himself a couple.

18.30

Hits the length hard outside the off stump line. Marcus Stoinis looks to slog it towards mid-wicket but gets an inside edge back to MS Dhoni on the bounce.

18.31wd

WIDE! Only 5 required now for Lucknow as Tushar Deshpande has bowled another wide outside the off stump line.

18.31wd

WIDE! Wayward outside the line of the off stump. Wide called.

18.24

FOUR! Marcus Stoinis drives a fuller ball outside the off stump to perfection and finds the gap to the right of deep point for a boundary. 7 required now for Lucknow to win.

18.11

Pitched up on the stumps. Nicholas Pooran drives the ball to long on for a single.

Chennai have been penalised for a slow over rate, and they will be allowed only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle from hereon. It will be Tushar Deshpande to bowl the penultimate over. Can he take the game to the last over?

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 165/2

N Pooran18 (9)

M Stoinis1 (3)

M Pathirana4-0-29-1

17.61

Another ball fuller on the stumps and Nicholas Pooran flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

17.50

Fuller on the line of the stumps and Nicholas Pooran walks down to flick the ball but misses it. The ball hits him on the front pads and there is an appeal for LBW. The umpire says NO and Chennai take the review. The UltraEdge shows no bat involved at all and the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is pitched outside the line of the leg stump. Nicholas Pooran survives.

17.41

Nails a wide yorker outside off. Marcus Stoinis drives the ball to sweeper covers for a single to open his account.

17.32lb

LEG BYE! Fuller on the pads of Marcus Stoinis who looks to flick the ball but gets a hit on the pads outside the line of the leg stumps and the ball runs away to the fine leg area for a couple as Leg Byes.

17.20

Pitches the ball up on the stumps. Marcus Stoinis blocks it off the front foot towards mid-wicket.

Marcus Stoinis is in at number 4.

17.1W

OUT! CAUGHT! Ravindra Jadeja, you beauty! Perfectly times shot from KL Rahul, nothing wrong with that but Ravindra Jadeja plucks it with one hand out of thin air leaping and then tumbling to his left. Matheesha Pathirana drops it short and wide and KL Rahul executes the cut shot to perfection only to find Ravindra Jadeja at point.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 161/1

Rahul82 (52)

N Pooran17 (7)

M Rahman4-0-43-1

16.61

Short and wide outside off again. KL Rahul slaps the ball to deep backward point for a single to end the over.

16.54

FOUR! Slower ball again, fuller in length outside the line of the off stump. KL Rahul takes the front foot out and creams the ball into the gap behind point, along the ground, beating both the fielders at the boundary for a four.

16.41

Holds the length short at the stumps. Nicholas Pooran pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.30

Slower ball from a shorter length outside the off stump. Nicholas Pooran looks to cut it but misses the ball completely.

16.24

FOUR! Another yorker going for a boundary. Mustafizur Rahman misses his line and angles down the leg stump this time and Nicholas Pooran flicks the ball hard to the right of short fine leg and gets another boundary.

16.21wd

WIDE! Wayward outside the off stump line. Wide called!

16.14

FOUR! Nails a yorker and Nicholas Pooran drills it from the ground and fetches it behind point, along the ground for a superb boundary to start the over after the break. What a shot.

Strategic break! It's the end of the 16th over and Lucknow have scored 146 with the loss of 1 wicket. Lucknow will look to knock off the remaining 31 runs as quickly as possible and boost their net run rate. As for Chennai, they need wickets in a heap to get back into the contest.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 146/1

Rahul77 (50)

N Pooran8 (3)

M Pathirana3-0-27-0

15.62

On a good length, outside off, KL Rahul hangs back and stays leg side of the ball to punch it to the right of deep point. The fielder in the deep runs around to his right and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

15.51

Full and straight, at the stumps, Nicholas Pooran flicks it towards mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

15.46

SIX BANG! It does not take long for Pooran to go big. On a length and right in the slot for the batter, on middle and leg, Nicholas Pooran clears his front leg and swings through the line to go back over the bowler's head for a maximum.

15.31

KL Rahul was gone for all money had the throw hit there. Full again, on off, KL Rahul drives it to the left of mid off and sets off for a single. Ruturaj Gaikwad gets to the ball quickly but misses the shy at the bowling end.

15.21

Pitches the ball up on the line of the stumps. Nicholas Pooran drives the ball straight towards mid on and runs a single.

15.11

Short and wide outside the off stump. KL Rahul drills the ball hard along the ground straight to sweeper covers for a single.

Nicholas Pooran walks out to bat now.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 134/1

de Kock54 (43)

Rahul73 (47)

M Rahman3-0-28-1

14.6W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Chennai finally get a breakthrough! Quinton de Kock has done his job though. Mustafizur Rahman rolls his fingers over the ball and goes into the wicket, over middle, Quinton de Kock backs away to play the upper cut but gets cramped for room. The ball brushes his gloves on the way through and MS Dhoni take a good catch bending low to hi right. End of a brilliant 134-run opening stand, the highest opening stand in this year's Indian T20 League.

14.54

FOUR! Expertly placed! Another slower delivery by Mustafizur Rahman, on a good length, outside off, Quinton de Kock waits for the ball to arrive and plays it late. Cuts it well and gets it past the backward point fielder for a boundary.

14.41

At pace, on a good length, KL Rahul punches it right under his eyes to deep point for a single.

14.34

FOUR! KL Rahul threads the needle to perfection. Shot of the night by the Lucknow skipper. Angling across the left-hander, fuller and slower, KL Rahul moves away to the off side nice and early. Angles the bat face perfectly to drive it right in the gap between deep backward point and deep cover for a boundary.

14.22

Goes for the yorker, outside off. It comes out as a low full toss, KL Rahul walks across his stumps and drags the sweep to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

14.11

FIFTY for Quinton de Kock! It has not been the most fluent knock from the southpaw but he has hung in there for his side and has complemented his skipper well. On a back of a length, on off and middle, Quinton de Kock waits on it and pulls it through square leg to get to his third fifty of the season.

14.11wd

WIDE! Slower delivery that drifts down leg, full in length, Quinton de Kock swings to help it away but misses.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 121/0

Rahul66 (44)

de Kock49 (40)

T Deshpande3-0-27-0

13.60

Nails the yorker from around the wicket, on middle and leg, KL Rahul gets his bat out in front of the pads and digs it out to the right of the bowler.

13.51

Fullish delivery, outside off, driven through covers for a single by Quinton de Kock.

13.44

FOUR! Smart batting! On a length, in the corridor of off, Quinton de Kock pulls out the reverse scoop and plays it to perfection. Hits it between the keeper and short third to pick up a boundary. Moves to 48 with this shot.

13.30

Another delivery that flirts with the wide guideline, full and outside off, Quinton de Kock leans on it for the drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

13.31wd

WIDE! Looks to keep it away from the reach of the batter but this slips beyond the tramline on off. Left alone by Quinton de Kock for a wide.

13.21

Goes short does Deshpande, over middle, KL Rahul rides the bounce well and plays the pull to deep mid-wicket for one more run.

13.11

Starts a new spell from around the wicket and hurls it on a good length, near the wide guideline on off, Quinton de Kock reaches out and pushes it wide of cover for a single.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 113/0

Rahul65 (42)

de Kock43 (36)

M Pathirana2-0-15-0

12.60

Fuller in length, around off, KL Rahul stays leg side of the ball and goes through the drive a bit early. Mistimes the drive towards Rachin Ravindra at cover. A miserly over from Pathirana, just the 3 runs off it and now this over needs to be backed up from the bowler at the other end.

12.51

Pacy delivery, on a hard length, outside off, Quinton de Kock hangs back and slaps it to the left of long on for a single.

12.51wd

WIDE! Bangs it into the deck but this goes over the batter's head. Quinton de Kock misses out on the pull and it is called a wide by the umpire.

12.40

Swing and a miss! Takes pace off a bit does Pathirana and serves it on a good length, on off, Quinton de Kock shapes up to heave it across the line but connects with thin air.

12.31

Fuller in length, on off, KL Rahul stays rooted in his crease and looks to go back over the bowler's head. Gets an inside edge back onto the pads. They cross as the ball rolls on the leg side.

12.20

Honing in at the stumps, at 134.7 kph, on middle, KL Rahul nudges it straight to mid-wicket.

12.10

Short and wide on off, KL Rahul shapes up to hit this one in front of square rather than going square on the off side. Mistimes the shot towards cover.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 110/0

Rahul64 (38)

de Kock42 (34)

M Rahman2-0-15-0

11.61

On a back of a length, on off and middle, KL Rahul dabs it in front of square on the off side and retains the strike with a single.

11.54

FOUR! Quality shot by a quality batter! Mustafizur Rahman goes into the wicket and it is the slower one as well, a bit too straight though, on leg, KL Rahul gets on top of the bounce and rolls his wrists nicely on the ball to pull it wide of deep backward square leg for a boundary. The boundaries continue to come every over for Lucknow.

11.41

Slower and on a nagging length, on off, Quinton de Kock taps it beside the pitch on the leg side and gets across for a single.

11.31

Another bumper attempted by Mustafizur, at the left shoulder of the batter, KL Rahul picks the change up early and waits to pull it towards deep backward square leg for a run.

11.20

Bends his back and digs it in short, at the body of the batter, KL Rahul backs away and hops to ride the bounce to pull it away. Gets an inside edge back onto the pads and the ball rolls back to the bowler.

11.10

Comes back into the attack and takes pace off first up, on a good length, on middle, KL Rahul punches it with a straight bat to cover.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 103/0

Rahul58 (33)

de Kock41 (33)

R Jadeja3-0-32-0

10.61

A bit fuller, on off, KL Rahul plays it close to his body and dabs it square on the off side for a run. 14 runs off the over and Lucknow are motoring along.

10.54

FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! Short and around off, KL Rahul makes room and goes for the cut again. Gets a thickish outside edge that goes to the right of short third for four more runs.

10.44

FOUR! KL Rahul cracks the cut and brings up his 35th Indian T20 League FIFTY. The Lucknow skipper is leading from the front here in a crucial run chase. Ravindra Jadeja drops it fractionally short now, on off, KL Rahul goes on the back foot in a flash and cuts it to the right of backward point for a boundary to get to his half-century.

10.31

Slower and fuller, on middle, Quinton de Kock clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

10.24

FOUR! Nicely done! Fires it in, short and around leg, Quinton de Kock gets inside the line nicey and early and picks it up well to deposit it towards the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary.

10.10

Jadeja follows the batter and serves it on a nagging length, on middle and leg, Quinton de Kock backs away and swings to play the pick-up shot but misses out and gets hit on the pads.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 89/0

Rahul49 (30)

de Kock36 (30)

M Ali1-0-5-0

9.60

Floats the ball up on the stumps. KL Rahul drives it straight back to the bowler to end the over.

9.51

Short and wide outside off. Quinton de Kock slams the ball to long off for a single.

9.40

Tosses it up and gets some turn. Quinton de Kock looks to block it but gets beaten by the turn.

9.31

Drops it short on the off stump. KL Rahul flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

9.22

Holds the length back on top of the stumps. KL Rahul drives the ball towards sweepers from the crease and runs a single.

9.11

Fuller on the stumps. Quinton de Kock flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Strategic break! This is a solid start for Lucknow in pursuit of 177 runs, and they have the required rate well under control with all ten wickets intact. KL Rahul has been the aggressor of the two batters, whereas Quinton de Kock is slowly starting to get into the groove. As for Chennai, they had an opportunity to break the opening stand in the last over but Matheesha Pathirana shelled it. They have the knack of dominating the middle phase of the innings and they need a couple of quick wickets here to turn the tide in their favour. Ruturaj Gaikwad brings Moeen Ali into the attack now.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 84/0

de Kock34 (27)

Rahul46 (27)

R Jadeja2-0-18-0

8.61

Tosses the ball up on the stumps. Quinton de Kock drives the ball to long on for a single to end the over.

8.51

Floats the ball up and KL Rahul looks to sweep it hard getting an inside edge onto the pads for a single.

8.41

Fuller on the stumps. Quinton de Kock drives the ball to long on for a single.

8.31

Holds the length back on the stumps. KL Rahul taps the ball to sweeper covers for a single.

8.21

DROPPED! Fuller from Ravindra Jadeja again on the stumps with pace and Quinton de Kock slogs the ball hard but only manages to get a top edge straight up towards Matheesha Pathirana at short third but he fumbles it down for a single. Pathirana never looked comfortable under that one. Chennai need to hold onto these chances to turn things around.

8.14

FOUR! Quinton de Kock times one to perfection! Ravindra Jadeja tosses the ball up on the off stump line and Quinton de Kock takes the front foot out and launches the ball straight over the head of the bowler for a boundary on the bounce.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 75/0

de Kock27 (23)

Rahul44 (25)

M Pathirana1-0-12-0

7.61

Pitches the ball up again on the stumps. Quinton de Kock drives the ball to the left of mid on and runs a single to end the over.

7.51

Bangs in a bouncer at the batter. KL Rahul pulls it well along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

7.41

Fuller on the stumps. Quinton de Kock flicks the ball to deep square leg for a single.

7.31

Holds the length back at the stumps. KL Rahul flicks the ball to deep square leg for a single.

7.26

SIX! BANG! Matheesha Pathirana drops the ball short outside the off stump line with pace and KL Rahul says Thank you, plays a superb upper cut and times it well enough to make it sail over the head of third man at the boundary for a maximum.

7.21wd

WIDE! Wayward outside the line of the off stump. The Umpire signals a wide.

7.11

Pitches the ball up on the stumps. Quinton de Kock flicks the ball to the right of fine leg for a single.

Change from both ends as Matheesha Pathirana comes on from the other end.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 63/0

de Kock24 (20)

Rahul36 (22)

R Jadeja1-0-9-0

6.61

Holds the length back on the stumps. Quinton de Kock drives the ball to long on for a single.

6.52

Floats the ball up on the stumps. Quinton de Kock slogs the ball to the left of deep mid-wicket for another couple.

6.42

Tosses the ball up on the stumps. Quinton de Kock flicks the ball in the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on and runs a couple.

6.31

Bowls on a nagging length outside off. KL Rahul flicks the ball to long on for a single.

6.21

Holds the length back at the stumps. Quinton de Kock stays inside the crease and drives the ball to long on for a single.

6.11

Drops it short outside the off stump line. KL Rahul taps it to sweeper covers for a single.

6.11wd

WIDE! Wayward outside the leg stump line. The umpire says WIDE.

Time for spin as Ravindra Jadeja comes on to bowl.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 54/0

Rahul34 (20)

de Kock18 (16)

D Chahar3-0-26-0

5.61

Finishes off again banging the length hard on top of the stumps. KL Rahul pulls it away towards deep mid-wicket for a single to end the over.

5.50

Bowls another short ball outside the off stump and KL Rahul looks to pull it away but mistimes it straight to point.

5.40

Holds the length back on top of the off stump line. KL Rahul blocks it off well towards point.

5.30

Short again, this time with pace and KL Rahul looks to play the upper cut but misses.

5.26

SIX! Short and wide again and this time KL Rahul extends his hands and times the ball to perfection over the head of covers and gets the ball to go all the way over for a SIX.

5.14

FOUR! Drops it short outside the off stump line and KL Rahul stays behind the line of the ball and cuts the ball over the short third man fielder for a boundary.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 43/0

de Kock18 (16)

Rahul23 (14)

T Deshpande2-0-19-0

4.66

SIX! Quinton de Kock finally connects one! Lands it on a back of a length, over middle, Quinton de Kock hangs back and goes for the pull. Does not get this one from the middle of the bat but gets enough bat on it to clear Rachin Ravindra at deep mid-wicket. A six off the final ball spoils what was turning out to be a tidy over from Deshpande.

4.50

Oh my! How did that miss the stumps? Deshpande bowls it with an upright seam, on a fullish length, around leg, Quinton de Kock makes room to have a swish across the line. Gets undone as the ball dips on him and it sneaks past the leg stump.

4.40

Slower and fuller, angling across, on off, Quinton de Kock gives himself room to go up and over on the off side. He is through his shot early and miscues it to mid on.

4.31lb

Leg bye! A juicy low full toss, on the pads, KL Rahul is a bit late on the clip and fails to get the shot away. The ball thuds him on the front pad and rolls on the leg side. They cross. Missed out there did the Lucknow skipper.

4.20

At pace this time, on a hard length, KL Rahul gets rushed in the pull shot and mistimes the shot off the upper half of the bat to mid-wicket.

4.14

FOUR! KL Rahul picks the slower ball and hits it in gap. Tushar takes pace off and bowls it on a hard length, over middle, KL Rahul shuffles across a bit and swats it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 32/0

de Kock12 (13)

Rahul19 (11)

M Rahman1-0-8-0

3.60

Angling in a touch, on a length, on the off-stump line, Quinton de Kock drives it on the up towards cover-point where Ravindra Jadeja dives to his left to make the stop. Jadeja gets up a bit gingerly.

3.51

Rolls his fingers over the ball and goes fuller in length, outside off, KL Rahul gets on the front foot and drives it square to deep backward point for another single.

3.41

In the corridor of off, on a length, Quinton de Kock stays leg side of the ball and slaps it to deep point for one more run.

3.31

Pulls his length back and bowls it on off, KL Rahul dabs it wide of backward point for a single.

3.24

FOUR! Uppish but Rahul gets the reward! On a good length, on middle, KL Rahul does not move his feet much and lifts it with a straight bat. Hits it back over the bowler's head. The ball sails over Mustafizur's head before he can react and races away to the fence.

3.11

A stifled appeal for LBW but Quinton de Kock got an inside edge there. Mustafizur delivers it full and straight, at the stumps, a hint of away movement, Quinton de Kock gets caught in the crease as he looks to keep it out. Luckily for him, he gets an inside edge back onto the pads. The batters cross as the ball rolls on the off side.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 24/0

Rahul13 (8)

de Kock10 (10)

D Chahar2-0-15-0

2.60

Proper fast bowler's comeback by Chahar! Digs it in short, over middle, KL Rahul initially thinks about taking on the short ball but changes his mind as he drops his wrists and sways away from the line of the ball to let it go.

2.56

SIX! KL Rahul goes big! Chahar hurls it on a short of a good length, on off, KL Rahul holds his shape and takes no half-measures in going down town. Gets it off the upper part of the bat but gets more than enough distance to clear the long on fence for the first maximum of the Lucknow innings.

2.41

Into the wicket, over middle, Quinton de Kock fetches the pull from over his head and drags it through mid-wicket. They cross.

2.31

Slower and on a good length, outside off, KL Rahul gets half-forward and drives it square to deep point and gets to the other end.

2.20

On a back of a length, in the channel on off, KL Rahul opens the bat face to steer it wide of short third. Gets a bottom edge that goes on the bounce to MS Dhoni who sticks out his right hand and makes the stop.

2.14

FOUR! Top shot! Fractionally short by Chahar, leg-cutter, outside off, KL Rahul gets this one at a good height and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 12/0

de Kock9 (9)

Rahul2 (3)

T Deshpande1-0-9-0

1.62

In the air...but safe! Slower and on a length by Desphande, wide on off, Quinton de Kock reaches out and shapes up to carve it over the in-field on the off side. Gets it off the outer half of the bat but it sails over backward point and lands well wide of deep point. A couple of runs taken.

1.51

This is at 140.4 kph, fuller in length, on off, KL Rahul stays rooted in his crease and punches it with a straight bat in front of mid on. Calls de Kock through for a quick single.

1.41

At pace this time, angling away, on a hard length, outside off, Quinton de Kock extends his arms and pushes it towards wide mid off for a run.

1.41wd

WIDE! Takes pace off does Deshpande but gets the line slightly wrong. Flirts with the tramline on off, on a good length, Quinton de Kock reaches out to cut but misses and the ball goes on the bounce to MS Dhoni. Wide called by the umpire.

1.30

Width on offer on off, on a good length, Quinton de Kock goes for the cut but ends up chopping it along the ground to backward point.

1.24

FOUR! Picked up nicely! On a back of a length and straying on the hips, Quinton de Kock is too good to miss out on such deliveries. Plays the pick-up shot and hits it in the vacant deep backward square leg region for a boundary.

1.10

Deshpande steams in from over the wicket and pitches it right up to the batter, on off, Quinton de Kock presents the full face of the bat and times the drive to mid off.

Tushar Deshpande to share the new ball with Deepak Chahar for Chennai.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 3/0

de Kock2 (4)

Rahul1 (2)

D Chahar1-0-3-0

0.61

Angling across the batter, on a back of a length, outside off, Quinton de Kock frees his arms and cuts it through point for a single to keep the strike.

0.51

Swinging in now, on a back of a length, outside off, KL Rahul waits on the back foot and punches it to the left of cover. The substitute fielder, Shaik Rasheed dives to his left and keeps it down to just a single. Good stop.

0.40

Shaping away from the right-hander, on a hard length, outside off, KL Rahul plays it off the back foot and punches it to backward point. Chahar needs to be fuller with two slips waiting for the outside edge.

0.31

Drags his length back a touch and bowls it on off, Quinton de Kock hangs back and nudges it behind square on the leg side for a single. de Kock and Lucknow are underway!

0.20

Chahar goes full in search of swing and gets the ball to go away, on middle, Quinton de Kock closes the bat face and turns it to mid-wicket.

0.10

Begins from over the wicket and hurls it with an upright seam, on a hard length, at 140.4 kph, a hint of inward movement, on off, Quinton de Kock gets on his toes and stabs it down in front of mid-wicket.

Commentary

We are back after the First innings Break! Lucknow all set to start their chase of 177 runs. The Umpires and the Players are back at the crease to start the second innings. KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock walk out as the openers for Lucknow. Deepak Chahar gets the new ball for Chennai.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Lucknow, now face a target of 177 to chase down in their allotted 20 overs. Will KL Rahul and his men be able to do it? Or will the Chennai bowlers turn things around and get 2 more points to move up the ladder? Let's find out in the upcoming chase.

Chennai's innings had a shaky start as they lost their opener Rachin Ravindra for a golden duck early on. However, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane steadied the ship with a promising partnership. But their progress was halted when Yash Thakur dismissed Gaikwad for 17 runs, breaking the building momentum. The promotion of Ravindra Jadeja to number four proved pivotal for Chennai as he played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings. Despite Shivam Dube and Sameer Rizvi's quick exits, Jadeja held firm, marshalling the lower middle order. Partnering with Moeen Ali, Jadeja propelled the innings forward, forming a vital partnership. Though Moeen Ali struggled initially, he found his rhythm with a flurry of sixes, contributing 30 runs before falling victim to a catch in the deep.

With MS Dhoni's signature flourish, Chennai wrapped up their innings, reaching a competitive total of 176/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Dhoni's quickfire unbeaten 28 off just 9 balls provided the finishing touches to a challenging innings. Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the backbone of the Chennai innings, playing a composed unbeaten knock of 57 runs, and anchoring the middle order with finesse.

Runs Scored 19 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 176/6

Dhoni28 (9)

R Jadeja57 (40)

Y Thakur4-0-45-1

19.64

FOUR! Sliced away and MS Dhoni finishes the innings in style! Chennai go past 175 and the crowd have got their money's worth, having witnessed another quickfire knock from Dhoni. Yash Thakur stays around the wicket and nails it on a fullish length, outside off, MS Dhoni sits deep in his crease and opens the bat face perfectly. Steers it to the left of backward point for a boundary to end the innings. 19 runs come off the final over and Lucknow have been made to pay for the slow over rate.

19.52

Almost in the blockhole by Thakur, at the stumps, MS Dhoni clears his front leg and whips it wide of deep mid-wicket. A wayward throw at the batting end results in Dhoni completing the second run with ease.

19.44

FOUR! Not where he intended but Chennai will take it any which way they come. Nails the yorker does Thakur, on off, MS Dhoni looks to go back over the bowler's head. Gets an outside edge that goes to the left of backward point for a boundary.

19.36

SIX! PICKED THE BONES OUT OF THAT! The crowd erupts as Dhoni deposits it into the stands. In the slot by Thakur from around the wicket, on off, MS Dhoni goes deep in his crease and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Can Chennai go past 175?

19.21

Low full toss, on off, Ravindra Jadeja drives it in front of mid off for a single. The crowd roars as MS Dhoni gets back on strike.

19.12

Tries to go for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Ravindra Jadeja drives it wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 157/6

Dhoni12 (5)

R Jadeja54 (38)

M Khan4-0-37-1

18.60

Swing and a miss! Slower and angling away, on a good length, outside off, MS Dhoni goes for a heave across the line but connects with thin air. Lucknow have been penalised for slow over rate and they will be allowed only 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the final over.

18.61wd

WIDE! This is on a shortish length, down leg, MS Dhoni goes for the pull but the ball sails over his head for a wide.

18.51

On a shortish length, on off, Ravindra Jadeja stays deep in the crease and slaps it wide of cover for a single.

18.40

Lucknow get the review right this time! Mohsin bends his back and bangs it into the deck, over off and middle, Ravindra Jadeja gets on his toes to ride the bounce and pull it front of square on the off side. The ball zips past the bat and goes through to the keeper. It is signalled wide as the umpire deems that the ball has gone over Jadeja's head. KL Rahul reviews and the replays confirm that the ball had not gone over the head of the batter and it will be a dot.

18.31

Angling across, on a back of a length, around off, MS Dhoni runs it down to deep third and rotates the strike. 13 runs off the over already with three balls to go.

18.26

SIX! Clever, very clever from the former Chennai skipper. Mohsin Khan goes short this time and lands it outside off, MS Dhoni premeditates and walks across his stumps nice and early. Swivels in the crease and glides it over the keeper. Uses the pace well and clears the fence for a maximum.

18.14

FOUR! Muscled away but it was not far away from the fielder in the deep. Slanting away from over the wicket, on a length, MS Dhoni extends his arms and thumps it flat to the right of deep cover. Ravi Bishnoi covers good ground and puts in a dive to his right but the ball evades him and goes away for a boundary.

18.11wd

WIDE! Angling away from the batter, at 123.4 kph, on a length, outside off, MS Dhoni extends his arms to go through the off side. The ball skids through and sneaks under the bat. Dhoni takes the review for wide not given. The third umpire deems that the ball was just outside the wide guideline. The decision has been overturned to wide.

18.11wd

WIDE! Mohsin tries to keep it away from the reach of Dhoni, goes beyond the tramline on off, on a length, left alone by MS Dhoni for a wide.

Runs Scored 19 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 142/6

Dhoni1 (1)

R Jadeja53 (36)

R Bishnoi4-0-44-1

17.61

Bishnoi errs in length and dishes out a low full toss, around off, MS Dhoni knocks it down to long off and opens his account with a single. A 10-run over followed by a 19-run over.

MS Dhoni walks out to bat for Chennai.

17.5W

OUT! TAKEN! Moeen Ali holes out this time but this has been a useful hand from the English all-rounder. Bishnoi goes back to bowling full, at the stumps, Moeen Ali tries to target the cow corner region this time. Does not get the distance this time and it goes only as far as deep mid-wicket where Ayush Badoni completes the catch over his head well in front of the ropes.

17.46

SIX! THREE IN THREE! Ravi Bishnoi bowls it flat and short, outside off, Moeen Ali hangs back in his crease and flat bats it. Clears the long off fence for the third six of the over and this is just the over Chennai were after.

17.36

SIX! This is even bigger! Bishnoi bowls the same line, around middle and leg, Moeen Ali gets down on one knee again and hammers the slog sweep over deep square leg for six more runs.

17.26

SIX! BANG! Moeen Ali gets the connection this time! Too straight from Bishnoi, full and right in the arc for the batter, Moeen Ali gets down and nails the slog sweep over deep square leg for a maximum.

17.10

On a fullish length, on the pads, Moeen Ali goes for the slog sweep but the ball is a bit too full for him to get underneath it and gets hit on the pads.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 123/5

M Ali12 (15)

R Jadeja53 (36)

M Khan3-0-22-1

16.61

A bit too straight from Mohsin, on a back of a length, around leg, Moeen Ali backs away and helps it to the left of fine leg for one more run. A better over for Chennai, 10 runs off it.

16.51

On a short of a length, on middle, Ravindra Jadeja pulls it down to deep backward square leg and rotates the strike.

16.40

Digs it in short, over middle, Ravindra Jadeja tries to fetch the pull from over his head but misses out.

16.36

DROPPED AND SIX! Deepak Hooda palms it over the ropes for a fence! The trademark sword celebration comes out from Ravindra Jadeja as he gets to his FIFTY. Angling into the arc of Jadeja, on a length, Ravindra Jadeja holds his shape and lofts it with a straight bat towards long on. Deepak Hooda leaps near the fence and goes for the reverse cup catch. He fails to hold on and to make matters worse, he tips it over the fence for six more runs.

16.21

Pace off and into the wicket by Mohsin, outside off, Moeen Ali gets on top of the bounce and drags the pull to deep square leg for a single.

16.11

Begins on a back of a length, outside off, Ravindra Jadeja walks right across his stumps and dabs it in front of short third for a single.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 113/5

M Ali10 (13)

R Jadeja45 (32)

Y Thakur3-0-26-1

15.60

On a length, near the tramline on off, Moeen Ali winds up and looks to big on the off side. Gets it off the bottom part of the bat and it rolls to extra cover for a dot. Thakur gets out of the over well after being hit for a boundary earlier in the over. Just the 8 runs off it and Lucknow will take it at this stage in the game.

15.52

Keeps it full and wide on off, Moeen Ali frees his arms and slices it to the left of deep backward point for a couple of runs.

15.41

Nails the yorker, near the wide guideline on off, Ravindra Jadeja jams it out to extra cover and gets to the other end.

15.34

FOUR! A boundary after 34 balls for Chennai. Digs it in short and outside off, Ravindra Jadeja gets on his toes and reaches out to glide it to the left of short third and also manages to beat deep backward point for a boundary.

15.20

On a fullish length, around off, Ravindra Jadeja takes it on the full and sweeps it straight to square leg.

15.11

Starts from around the wicket, on off, Moeen Ali extends his arms and knocks it down to long off for a single.

Strategic break! Chennai find themselves in a tough spot with just five overs remaining in the innings. Having been there since the Powerplay, the onus is on Ravindra Jadeja to change gears, and he needs to bat through for his side on a surface where hitting from ball one will not be easy for the new batter. As for Lucknow, they have kept things reasonably quiet and will look to continue to chip away at the wickets to close out the innings. Yash Thakur comes back on to bowl.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 105/5

M Ali7 (10)

R Jadeja40 (29)

R Bishnoi3-0-25-0

14.61

Short and around off, dabbed to backward point for a single by Moeen Ali.

14.51

Flighted ball on the stumps. Ravindra Jadeja lofts the ball towards long off for a single.

14.41

Holds the length back outside the off stump. Moeen Ali drives the ball towards sweeper covers for a single.

14.31

Holds the length back on the stumps. Ravindra Jadeja flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

14.22

Fuller on the stumps line. Ravindra Jadeja flicks the ball off the front foot between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple.

14.11

Short and wide outside the off stump line. Moeen Ali drives the ball to sweeper covers for a run.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 98/5

R Jadeja36 (26)

M Ali4 (7)

M Stoinis2-0-7-1

13.62

Slower bouncer at the batter. Ravindra Jadeja pulls it away towards deep square leg and runs a quick couple.

13.51

Hits the length hard on top of the off stump line. Moeen Ali taps the ball towards the left of point for a single.

13.40

Fuller on the off stump line. Moeen Ali drives the ball straight to covers off the front foot.

13.31

Holds the ball short outside the off stump. Ravindra Jadeja pulls it away to long on for a single.

13.21

Short and wide, cut away to deep backward point for a single.

13.10

Hits the length hard on top of the off stump. Moeen Ali drives the ball straight to covers off the front foot.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 93/5

M Ali2 (3)

R Jadeja33 (24)

K Pandya3-0-16-2

12.61

Short and at the pads. Moeen Ali flicks the ball to deep backward square leg for a single to end the over.

12.51

Fuller outside the off stump line. Ravindra Jadeja drives the ball to sweeper cover for a run.

12.41

Short and wide this time, outside off. Moeen Ali drops the ball to the right of point and runs a single.

12.30

Just short on the stumps. Moeen Ali drives it back to mid-wicket.

Moeen Ali makes his way out to the centre.

12.2W

OUT! STUMPED! Krunal Pandya flights the ball up on the off stump line and Sameer Rizvi steps down and swings the bat, missing the ball completely and KL Rahul does the rest behind the stumps. 5th wicket down for Chennai.

12.11

Holds the length back on top of the middle stump line. Ravindra Jadeja flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 89/4

R Jadeja31 (22)

S Rizvi1 (4)

M Stoinis1-0-2-1

11.61

Holds the length back on top of the off stump. Ravindra Jadeja tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

11.51

Fuller on the off stump line and Sameer Rizvi flicks the ball to deep square leg for a single.

11.40

Slightly fuller on the line of the stumps and Sameer Rizvi blocks it off the front foot towards mid on.

11.30

Beats him all ends up. Marcus Stoinis bowls on a good length just on top of the off stump line and Sameer Rizvi looking to flick the ball, misses it completely.

11.20

Holds the length back on top of the off stump. Sameer Rizvi stays back and blocks it off well.

Sameer Rizvi comes out to bat now for Chennai as an Impact Player, replacing Ajinkya Rahane.

11.1W

OUT! CAUGHT! Huge wicket for Marcus Stoinis and Lucknow! Marcus Stoinis gets his man off the first ball of his spell. Bowls the ball short and wide outside the off stump from over the wicket angle and Shivam Dube looks to pull it from outside off but only manages to hit it straight up in the air. KL Rahul runs in and completes the catch well to send back Shivam Dube.

Marcus Stoinis comes on to bowl.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 87/3

S Dube3 (7)

R Jadeja30 (21)

Y Thakur2-0-18-1

10.61

Pitches it a bit up on the top of the leg stump line. Shivam Dube flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single to end the over.

10.50

Bowls a superb bouncer at the helmet of the batter and Shivam Dube ducks down and lets the ball go through.

10.41lb

LEG BYE! Bowls it on the pads once again from around the wicket and Ravindra Jadeja gets a hit on the front pad outside the line of leg stump and runs a single as Leg Bye.

10.31

Bangs it short at the batter from over the wicket and Shivam Dube pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for as single.

10.21

Holds the length short at the batter. Ravindra Jadeja taps it down towards deep square leg and runs a single.

10.12

Pitches the ball up outside the leg stump line from around the wicket angle. Ravindra Jadeja flicks the ball to the right of short fine leg and runs a couple of runs.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 81/3

S Dube1 (4)

R Jadeja27 (18)

R Bishnoi2-0-18-0

9.60

Beaten! The pace is quicker on this one and it angles away from the left-hander, on a length, Shivam Dube presses forward and plays for the ball coming into him. This one keeps straight and zips past the bat. At the halfway mark, Chennai are 81/3.

9.51

This is shorter in length, on off, Ravindra Jadeja tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region for a single to get to the other end.

9.44

FOUR! Jadeja sweeps and sweeps well! Bishnoi tosses it up and bowls it full, outside off, Ravindra Jadeja picks up the length early and gets a big stride in. Rolls his wrists nicely on the ball and drags the sweep to the left of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

9.30

Quicker through the air, short and on off, Ravindra Jadeja dabs it down to backward point.

9.22

Another googly, short and around off, Ravindra Jadeja whips it to the left of wide long on and comes charging back for the second run. Good running.

9.10

Good stop! Serves a googly first up, short and wide on off, Ravindra Jadeja reaches out and slaps it to the right of cover. Marcus Stoinis puts in the dive and cuts it off. He is quick to release the throw towards the batting end and prevents the single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 74/3

R Jadeja20 (13)

S Dube1 (3)

K Pandya2-0-12-1

8.61

Goes quicker and fuller this time, on middle and leg, Ravindra Jadeja turns this one through square leg and retains the strike with a single.

8.54

FOUR! Easy pickings! Krunal sees Jadeja move to the leg side and tries to follow him. Errs in line as he strays on the pads, on a fuller length, Ravindra Jadeja paddles it off his pads and beats short fine leg to his left for a boundary.

8.41

Slower through the air this time by Krunal but the length stays short, on middle, Shivam Dube goes for the pull but plays it a bit early and mistimes it to deep square leg for a single to get off the mark.

8.30

Keeps it flat and short, on off, Shivam Dube plays it to the right of the bowler.

8.20

Bowls it flat and short, on the pads, Shivam Dube misses the clip and gets hit on the pads.

Strategic Break! Just at the wicket for Ajinkya Rahane, the first Strategic Break of the first innings is taken. Chennai are 68/3 after 8.1 overs and will be looking to up the scoring rate from here. Its Ravindra Jadeja at the crease and he will be joined by Shivam Dube right after the break. Lucknow have done well till now and have kept picking up wickets at regular intervals. KL Rahul and his men will be looking to continue the same and close the innings well. Let's see what happens after the break.

8.1W

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Krunal Pandya gets into the act! Ajinkya Rahane perishes in trying to get a move on! Comes from around the wicket and pushes it through. flat and short, at the stumps, Ajinkya Rahane goes for a swipe across the line but the ball is not short enough for him to execute that shot. It skids off the deck and creeps under the bat before rattling into the stumps.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 68/2

R Jadeja15 (11)

A Rahane36 (23)

R Bishnoi1-0-11-0

7.64

EDGED AND FOUR! No slip in place and it races away! Bishnoi floats it up and gets the ball to spin away from the left-hander, full and around off, Ravindra Jadeja presses forward to defend. Gets an outside edge that goes past the keeper and beats short third to his right for four more runs. 11 runs off Bishnoi's first over.

7.51

Short and on middle, Ajinkya Rahane gets on the back foot and punches it to the right of the bowler for one more single.

7.44

FOUR! Not in complete control but manages to pick the gap! Tosses it up, full and turning in, on middle, Ajinkya Rahane goes for the slog sweep but he is through his shot early. Gets it off the inner half of the bat but it goes to the right of Marcus Stoinis at deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

7.30

Gets away with it does Bishnoi! A half-tracker, on the pads Ajinkya Rahane backs away and swats it off his pads but picks out the man at short fine leg.

7.21

This is short and around off to the left-hander, Ravindra Jadeja makes a bit of room and cuts it through point for a single.

7.11

Starts with a googly from over the wicket, on a nagging length, on middle and leg, Ajinkya Rahane flicks it aerially in the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 57/2

A Rahane30 (19)

R Jadeja10 (9)

K Pandya1-0-6-0

6.61

Continues to bowl it flat and short, on middle, Ajinkya Rahane whips it through mid-wicket for a single.

6.52

Coming in with the arm, short and on middle and leg, Ajinkya Rahane swipes it between wide long on and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

6.41

Keeps it at the batter, short in length, Ravindra Jadeja gets an inside edge onto the pads as he looks to work it across the line. They cross as the ball rolls behind square on the leg side.

6.31

Slanting in, short and on middle, Ajinkya Rahane paddles it in front of short fine and calls Jadeja through for a quick single.

6.21

Drags his length back and bowls it on the pads, Ravindra Jadeja tucks it off his hips through square leg for a run.

6.10

Fires it in first up at 100.1 kph, on a nagging length, on middle, Ravindra Jadeja clips it to mid-wicket.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 51/2

R Jadeja8 (6)

A Rahane26 (16)

M Henry3-0-26-0

5.61

Henry serves it fuller in length, just outside off, Ravindra Jadeja drives it with a straight bat in front of mid off and sets off for a quick run. At the end of the Powerplay, Chennai are 51/2.

5.51

Strays on the pads, on a length, Ajinkya Rahane clips this slower delivery to the right of deep mid-wicket for one more run. The 50 comes up for Chennai with this single.

5.41

Goes full and aims it at the stumps, Ravindra Jadeja works it wide of mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

5.31

Angling into the right-hander, on a length and slower as well, on middle, Ajinkya Rahane turns this one wide of mid on for a run.

5.21

Comes from around the wicket and pulls his length back, on off and middle, Ravindra Jadeja nudges it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

5.14

FOUR! No half-measures by the southpaw! Henry pitches it up, around off, Ravindra Jadeja gets his weight on the front foot and tonks it over mid off. Gets more than enough elevation to clear Nicholas Pooran there for a boundary.

Change of ends for Matt Henry.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 42/2

A Rahane24 (14)

R Jadeja1 (2)

Y Thakur1-0-13-1

4.64

FOUR! Two in two for Ajinkya Rahane to close the 5th over of the innings. Yash Thakur pitches the ball up outside the off stump line and Ajinkya Rahane drives the ball off the front foot, in the air, over covers and finds himself a boundary.

4.54

FOUR! Very nicely played by Ajinkya Rahane to get another boundary to his name. Yash Thakur hits the length hard on top of the off stump line and Ajinkya Rahane gets caught at the crease and opens the face of his bat at the last moment to get the ball running down the third man region for a boundary.

4.41

Short ball outside the off stump. Ravindra Jadeja taps it down to third man and gets off the mark with a single.

4.30

Zips past the outside edge of the new batter does Yash Thakur. Pitches the ball on the good length outside the off stump and Ravindra Jadeja looks to throw his hands at it but gets beaten.

A promotion for Ravindra Jadeja as he walks in at number 4.

4.2W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Yash Thakur comes back strong and the bowling change works wonders for KL Rahul. Yash Thakur pitches the ball up outside the off stump line, calling Ruturaj Gaikwad out for a drive. Ruturaj Gaikwad takes a long foot out and throws his hands at the ball but only manages to get an outside edge back to KL Rahul who takes a good catch diving to his right.

4.14

FOUR! Starts off at a good length outside the off stump and Ruturaj Gaikwad waits on it and times it off the front foot, late enough to take it between point and short third man for a boundary off the first ball of Yash Thakur.

Yash Thakur comes into the attack as the first change.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 29/1

A Rahane16 (12)

R Gaikwad13 (11)

M Khan2-0-12-1

3.64

FOUR! Wild swing of the bat and gets a lucky boundary to end the over! Mohsin Khan hits the length outside the off stump line and Ajinkya Rahane flashes the bat hard, getting a thick outside edge taking the ball over short third man's head for a boundary.

3.50

Holds the length back on top of the off stump line. Ajinkya Rahane stays on the crease and taps the ball straight towards point.

3.41

Fuller on the off stump again. Ruturaj Gaikwad tucks it towards mid off and sets off for a quick single.

3.31

Hits the good length on the off stump line. Ajinkya Rahane drives the ball to sweeper cover for a single off the front foot.

3.21

Pitches the ball fuller outside the off stump line. Ruturaj Gaikwad takes a foot out and times the ball well to the left of covers for a single.

3.12

Holds the length back outside the off stump line. Ruturaj Gaikwad drives the ball to the right of deep point for a couple to start the over.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 20/1

A Rahane11 (9)

R Gaikwad9 (8)

M Henry2-0-17-0

2.66

SIX! Ajinkya Rahane finishes the over in style! Short ball with pace at the batter and Ajinkya Rahane stands tall, gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away flat, over the deep mid-wicket boundary line for a superb SIX.

2.51

Holds the length back at 137 kph, on top of the off stump line. Ruturaj Gaikwad gets deep in the crease and plays at it late towards third man for a run.

2.42

Hits the length hard on top of the off-stump line. Ruturaj Gaikwad stays on the crease and glides it wide of deep third for another couple of runs.

2.32

Pitched up and nicely timed off the front foot to the right of sweeper covers and the batters pick up another couple.

2.20

Fuller again on the off stump at 136 kph. Ruturaj Gaikwad takes a long stride out and drives the ball straight towards cover.

2.12

Bowls the ball fuller outside the off stump this time. Ruturaj Gaikwad drives it to the right of deep point and runs a couple of runs.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 7/1

A Rahane5 (8)

R Gaikwad2 (3)

M Khan1-0-3-1

1.60

Pitches the ball up on the off stump line. Ajinkya Rahane looks to drive the ball but mistimes it straight back to the bowler to end the second over.

1.51

Another ball from a good length, leaving the batter after pitching. Ruturaj Gaikwad gets an outside edge to the right of short third for a single.

1.40

Holds the length back outside the off stump line. Ruturaj Gaikwad stays back in the crease and drives the ball straight to covers.

1.31

Bowls a slower ball from a good length on top of the off stump line. Ajinkya Rahane drops the ball down towards point and runs a quick single.

1.21

Hits the length hard on top of the middle stump line. Ruturaj Gaikwad taps it to the right of covers and runs a single to open his account.

The Chennai skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad is in at number 3.

1.1W

OUT! TIMBER! Mohsin Khan gets rid of the dangerous Rachin Ravindra on the first ball of his spell! Superb start for Mohsin Khan and Lucknow! Pitches the ball up on the line of the stumps and Rachin Ravindra looks to play a straight drive but misses the ball completely. The ball nips back in slightly and sneaks between the bat and pads of Rachin Ravindra and hits the middle stump.

It will be the left-arm seamer, Mohsin Khan to operate from the other end. A slip in place to start with.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 4/0

A Rahane4 (6)

R Ravindra0 (0)

M Henry1-0-4-0

0.60

Drops it short on the line of the off stump. Ajinkya Rahane taps it from the crease straight to point to end the first over.

0.50

Hits the length hard on top of the off stump line. Ajinkya Rahane blocks it off the front foot.

0.40

Swings one away from a fuller length on the middle stump line. Ajinkya Rahane takes a front foot out and drives the ball straight to mid on.

0.30

Pitched up again on the line of the stumps. Ajinkya Rahane flicks the ball straight to mid on.

0.24

FOUR! First boundary of the game from Ajinkya Rahane's blade! Short and wide outside the off stump and Ajinkya Rahane cuts the ball along the ground between covers and point for a boundary.

0.10

Starts off fuller on the off stump with a hint of away movement. Ajinkya Rahane drives it off the front foot to mid off.

We are all set for the action to unfold in front of a sell-out crowd. The two umpires make their way out to the middle followed by the players of Lucknow. Believe it or not, it is a sea of Yellow and the roar of the crowd gets louder as the Chennai openers stride out to the centre. It will be the left-hand right-hand combination of Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane to open the innings for Chennai. Playing in his first game of the season, Matt Henry has the new ball in hand for Lucknow. The countdown is done and dusted. Away we go...

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of Chennai, expresses that they would have preferred to bowl first. Uncertain about the wicket conditions, Gaikwad conveys his anticipation for the upcoming match. Reflecting on their recent victory against Mumbai at Wankhede, Gaikwad emphasizes the importance of not becoming complacent and aiming to maintain consistency throughout the tournament. Despite experiencing some unlucky dismissals in the initial matches, Gaikwad highlights the confidence within the team's batting lineup. Informs that Moeen Ali replaces Daryl Mitchell and Deepak Chahar comes in for Shardul Thakur.

KL Rahul, the skipper of Lucknow, says that they will bowl first. Mentions that it looks like a good wicket and there has been dew in the few matches they have played here. Hopes that the wicket stays the same and they want to know what they are chasing. States that they have not made too many blunders. Adds that big learning has been to win important phases in the game. Feels that as batters, they have been getting good starts and as bowlers, they need to make sure that they do not leak too many boundaries. Shares that the mood in the camp is pretty relaxed and it is important for the captain and the coach to not panic. Informs that they have made one change with Matt Henry coming in for Shamar Joseph.

Impact Players for Lucknow - Arshin Kulkarni, Krishnappa Gowtham, Yudhvir Singh, M. Siddharth and Arshad Khan.

Lucknow (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (C/WK), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Matt Henry (On debut) (In place of Shamar Joseph), Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur.

Impact players for Chennai - Sameer Rizvi, Shardul Thakur, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu and Mitchell Santner.

Chennai (Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali (In place of Daryl Mitchell), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (WK), Deepak Chahar (In place of Shardul Thakur), Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana.

TOSS - Lucknow have won the toss and have opted to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Kevin Pietersen and Aaron Finch are near the deck. Pietersen starts by saying that MS Dhoni has come to town, so expect a bumper night in the beautiful city of Lucknow. Mentions that it is a 76-metre hit down the ground, while the dimensions of the square boundaries are 61 metres and 68 metres. Finch joins him and says that this surface looks a little drier than what we have seen in the past, and it has a couple of bare spots on it. Opines that it will not be too much of an issue but expects the surface to hold a little bit more. Pietersen shares that it looks very Wankhede-like, and Finch reckons that being inland, there will not be much as much spin. He further adds that he expects the wicket to play really well, and the phase with the new ball will be crucial. Finch states that it will be a really good wicket for cricket and expects the captain winning the toss to bowl first.

On the other hand, Chennai, the reigning champions, arrive in Lucknow with a commendable record of four wins out of six matches. Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai has exhibited consistent performances throughout the season. With the formidable duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and MS Dhoni leading from the front, backed by a strong bowling unit, Chennai poses a formidable challenge for any opposition. A victory in this game would further solidify Chennai's position as they will climb to the second place of the points table and reaffirm their status as title contenders. As the teams gear up to battle it out on the field, anticipation runs high among fans for another enthralling encounter in the Indian T20 League. Stay tuned as Lucknow and Chennai lock horns in a high-stakes showdown, with both teams eyeing crucial points in their quest for glory in this prestigious tournament.

Lucknow, led by KL Rahul, enters this contest after a setback in their previous match against Kolkata, where they suffered an eight-wicket defeat. With three wins and three losses in six games, Lucknow finds itself at a crucial juncture of the tournament. A victory against the formidable Chennai side is imperative to bolster their playoff aspirations. The likes of KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, and Ayush Badoni will be pivotal in guiding Lucknow to a much-needed win on their home turf.

Greetings, cricket enthusiasts! Match number 34 is an exciting encounter between Lucknow and Chennai at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. It promises to be a captivating clash in the ongoing Indian T20 League 2024.

... MATCH DAY ...

The cricketing season in India is in full swing as the Indian T20 League has created a lot of hype around the country. After a lot of exciting matches, it is time for match number 34 where Lucknow will clash against Chennai in the Ekana Stadium. This stadium is not known for its high-scoring encounters so gear up for a well-balanced game of cricket on show. Lucknow has had a hot and cold season so far and has won 3 out of their 6 games in this season. They are currently placed in the upper half of the table which is where every team would like themselves to be. They are riding on two consecutive defeats and will hope for a comeback in this match. Their batting unit hasn't yet fired on all gears and has fallen behind in getting runs on the board. KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock will have to take up responsibility and provide a strong opening stand for the others to capitalize on that. Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran have performed well on some occasions but consistency will be a key factor in this league. Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, and Krunal Pandya have yet to make their mark with the bat especially when their team highly depends on them. Their bowling unit has also lost their touch and the opposition exploited that in their previous game. They are failing to take timely wickets which allows their opponents to build strong partnerships. Mohsin Khan was the sole wicket-taker against Kolkata with his two wickets while the others couldn't provide a breakthrough. The skipper and coaching staff will have a lot to discuss about the playing 11, especially against a strong opponent like Chennai. The men in yellow, on the other hand, have been performing as expected by their fans. They had a setback in the initial stages where they lost 2 games but have bounced back with 2 consecutive wins as well. Their last one came against their rivals from the city of Mumbai. In the batting department, Rachin Ravindra continues to impress everyone with his skills with the support of their young skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad who also played a brilliant knock in the last game. Shivam Dube is also getting a lot of attention on himself, courtesy of his power hitting but in the last game, it was MS Dhoni who stole the thunder in the final over where he smashed 20 runs in 4 balls. That helped Chennai get to a very good score on the board. Their bowling unit has also stepped up their game. They had some injury troubles but that didn't seem to trouble this team. Mustafizur Rahman has been amazing since his first game for Chennai and he has been consistent. Matheesha Pathirana, the slinger from Sri Lanka got 4 wickets in their last game and became a major factor to earn them a win. It was a combined bowling effort mainly dominated by the pacers but Ravindra Jadeja played a huge role by not allowing the opponents to score heavy runs in the middle overs. This is expected to be another exciting match for the viewers to enjoy. Which team are you supporting?

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