CSK VS LSG MATCH 39

Right then, a massive four-point swing between Lucknow and Chennai as they played each other in back-to-back games and Lucknow went on to win both games, firming their place back in the top four and nudging Chennai down into fifth place. There's still a lot to play for and next up is a vital clash between Delhi and Gujarat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. That game will begin on Wednesday, 24 April at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Marcus Stoinis is the Player of the Match for his stunning match-winning ton. Stoinis says that in these competitions, there are plenty of better opening batters and though it is nice to open the innings, he is settled in the middle order. Adds that it was not just hit and there were certain bowlers they wanted to target in order to keep the run rate in check. Mentions that it might have looked easy on the outside but on the inside, there were some calculations going on. Adds that the game is certainly changing and the way the openers are taking on the Powerplay. On his contract situation with Cricket Australia, he says that he has a great rapport with the coach and he was always aware of not getting a contract and reckons if his spot goes to someone young and talented, he is more than happy with it.

KL Rahul, the skipper of Lucknow says that this is a special win and for the most part of the batting innings they felt they were behind in the game but credit to the way they pulled out this game. Appreciates Marcus Stoinis and says it was not just power-hitting but also smart batting. Mentions that over the past couple of games, they decided they needed one power hitter in the top 3 to go hard and it was tactical to send Marcus at number 3. Says that T20 has changed over the years and 170-180 doesn't feel enough and gets chased in 18 odd overs and with the impact player rule things become tough and they have to go harder in the Powerplay. Concludes that there is no set plan for Nicholas Pooran and everybody apart from the openers is always ready to walk in and step up according to the situation.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, KL Rahul won the toss and had no hesitation in batting second given the amount of dew that comes into play on this ground. It was a well-fought first 10 overs when Chennai were batting but once Shivam Dube came on to bat, things changed. Ruturaj Gaikwad also went into overdrive and smashed a century as Dube's onslaught made sure that the hosts got over the 200-run mark which was certainly 10-15 runs too many. With the ball, Matt Henry was brilliant and the spin duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya were fairly decent as well but it was the likes of Mohsin Khan, Marcus Stoinis and Yash Thakur who conceded a lot of runs in the death overs. Interestingly, Lucknow dropped multiple catches and were sloppy in the field that helped Chennai a lot but it was a couple of sloppy misfields late on in Lucknow's chase from Chennai that really made the difference along with Stoinis' stellar knock.

Deepak Hooda, one of the architects of the run chase is now up for a chat. Hooda says that his thoughts were pretty clear and wanted to hit the ball and find the gaps. Adds that, to be honest, he didn't have any other option at the death but applauds the bowling of the opposition. On Marcus Stoinis, he says that Stoinis is like a warrior and he even takes inspiration from him. Adds that when Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran were batting, it gave them the hope to go on and get the win. Mentions that these two points make a huge difference, especially given that the business end of the tournament is near and Chennai are a class side.

Ruturaj Gaikwad the skipper of Chennai is down for a chat. He says it is a tough pill to swallow but Lucknow and Marcus Stoinis played brilliantly despite them having control over the game till the 13th over. Adds that the dew took the spinner out of the game and it's just part of the game and they have a long way to go. Talks about Ravindra Jadeja playing at number 4 and says that after powerplay whenever a wicket falls he will be the one to walk out to bat. He further talks about the total and says it was around par with the dew and knew it would go down to the last over but credits Lucknow for getting through.

Chennai will be gutted with that loss as they seemed to have things under control but with the amount of dew in play, the opposition was always in the game. The pace attack didn't really fire apart from Matheesha Pathirana who was once again pretty good but even in his final over, he couldn't hit the mark. The spinners remained wicketless and weren't used much but the experienced likes of Shardul Thakur and Mustafizur Rahman really let their side down in the death overs. A couple of sloppy efforts in the field didn't help either and they were well beaten in the end which was surprising.

Needing 211 for the win against Chennai in their own backyard was always going to be difficult but it became all that more difficult when Quinton de Kock fell in the very first over for a duck and then the skipper, KL Rahul too got out inside the first 5 overs. Then came the counter-punch from Marcus Stoinis but Lucknow needed a lot more and a sluggish knock at the other end from Devdutt Padikkal only bogged them down. Once he got out, the pairing of Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran were able to inject momentum into the chase and took the game deep. Pooran did get out but the Aussie kept on finding the fence and brought up a magnificent hundred before a couple of crucial blows from Deepak Hooda handed Lucknow the advantage and Stoinis was able to end things in a hurry in the final over.

FORTRESS CHEPAUK HAS BEEN BREACHED! Wow, what a game and what an inning from Marcus Stoinis and that has to be one of the greatest chases we have seen in the history of the tournament. Lucknow beat Chennai in back-to-back games and hand Chennai their first home defeat of the season in epic fashion. This is also the highest successful chase at this venue and it was possible thanks to just one man - 'the Hulk.'

FOUR! As easy as it can get! Marcus Stoinis has pulled out a heist and made it two in a row for Lucknow against Chennai this season. Mustafizur Rahman drops the length and bowls it really short over middle and leg, Marcus Stoinis gets across and has all the time in the world to pull it over short fine leg for four runs to seal the victory with 6 wickets in hand.

NO BALL AND FOUR! Marcus Stoinis is in a hurry and that's just poor bowling. Oh dear, to add to the misery, Mustafizur Rahman has overstepped! Bowls a full toss outside off, Marcus Stoinis gets closer to the line and looks for the slash but gets an outside edge past short third for four runs. A free hit will now follow!

FOUR! Make that 10 in two! Mustafizur Rahman bowls full and in the slot outside off, Marcus Stoinis takes a step across again and drills it straight over the bowler's head for four more.

SIX! What a start to the over! Mustafizur Rahman bowls this fuller and outside off, Marcus Stoinis takes a step across and launches this over long on for a maximum.

17 needed off the final over and this match is heading towards a tight finish. Mustafizur Rahman has been handed the ball. Can he keep his cool and defend 16 runs? Or will Marcus Stoinis take Lucknow to a memorable win? Let's find out.

Attacks the stumps on a length, Deepak Hooda makes some room and whacks it to long on for a couple more runs. Lucknow now need 17 off the last over.

Takes pace off and digs this short outside off, Deepak Hooda looks for the big pull but misses out.