In the 21st game of the ongoing IPL 2023, Lucknow Super Giants locked horns with Punjab Kings at the Ekana Stadium. Ahead of the game, the 2014 finalists, were coming back-to-back losses after starting the season with as many wins. On the other hand, the home team, Super Giants were coming off two back-to-back wins. Meanwhile, in the game, the Kings won the toss and elected to bowl first.
The home team had a great start as they scored 52/0 at the end of the powerplay. Right after the field restrictions were over, the Blue Brigade lost the wicket of Kyle Mayers (29) to Harpreet Brar. Deepak Hooda followed in the ninth over as he was trapped lbw by Sikandar Raza. This led to a massive drop in the scoring rate as skipper KL Rahul and Krunal Pandya put together a partnership of 48 in 35 balls.
Before this partnership was broken, the team had scored 110/2 in 14.1 overs. Rahul (79) hit a half-century that helped the team reach 159/8. For the Red Army, stand-in skipper Sam Curran took three wickets while Kagiso Rabad took two. One each was taken by Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, and Sikandar Raza.
Punjab Kings wins a cliffhanger against Lucknow Super Giants
In reply, the Mohali-based team had a poor start as Atharva Taide (0) was caught at deep third man in the first over. Prabhsimran Singh became the second victim of Yudhvir Singh in the third over. On the other hand, Matthew Short was impaling the Lucknow bowlers whenever they pitched it short or gave something to play on the up. The right-hander scored 34 off 22 balls before being caught at mid-off by Marcus Stoinis off K Gowtham.
After this wicket, Sikandar Raza came in and struggled for some time. However, in the 13th over bowled by Pandya, Raza bashed it for two sixes and a four to get going. Despite the other batters around him not applying themselves, the Zimbabwean ensured the team was in the game thanks to his fifty. Shahrukh Khan scored 23 off 10 unbeaten to take the team over the line with two wickets in hand.
This is how Twitter reacted
Shahrukh Khan – The Hero.
What a win for Punjab Kings. What a finish by Shahrukh Khan. He scored 23*(10) and Punjab Kings beat LSG by 2 wickets. Incredible, Shahrukh. pic.twitter.com/ffIZ1nMxRl
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) April 15, 2023
Well played, Sikandar Raza!
57 in 41 balls – the first Zimbabwean to register a fifty in the IPL. He kept Punjab Kings in the chase, a quality innings! pic.twitter.com/oxqF9afzVJ
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 15, 2023
Another Day.. Another Thriller Match..??#IPL2023 #LSGvPBKS pic.twitter.com/OPCv2CwTeN
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) April 15, 2023
Punjab kings beat Lucknow Super Giants at their home ground! Thank You Shahrukh khan! I really want to see Gautam Gambhir face right now, he was telling Bangalore fans to shut up in last match, now he will shut up! pic.twitter.com/EI0F2UCBfL
— Cricket With Laresh (@Lareshhere) April 15, 2023
OH my god this IPL is not for the faint of heart
Namma @LycaKovaiKings thalaivan @shahrukh_35 Does it Once again…. what a finisher.#PBKSvLSG
Totally @SRazaB24 's day today. Eid came early for the Punjab Kings ! pic.twitter.com/eLqKR4a1mS— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) April 15, 2023
*#SherSquad + Admin ?#LSGvPBKS #JazbaHaiPunjabi #SaddaPunjab #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/ZYMFtaREHd
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 15, 2023
No Bairstow
No Shikhar Dhawan
No Livingston
No RajapakshaEven then
PUNJAB KINGS WON ???#PBKSvLSG #IPL2023 #IPLonStar @StarSportsIndia #ShikharDhawan #ShahRukhKhan
— Kamz Singh (@SinghKamz) April 15, 2023
Someone needs to KL bluntly that he is not at all the main batsman in the team
????
Tu out ho gaya toh bhi run banjayenge#LSGvPBKS— Naman?? (@NamanShah2607) April 15, 2023
Shahrukh Khan finishing games is a shot in the arm for Punjab Kings. He was struggling big time last season but his confidence is back and it is reflected in his approach. Hopefully, Punjab can do better this time around. #LSGvPBKS #IPL2023
— Ritesh pathak (@Riteshp94084073) April 15, 2023
KL Rahul takes #PBKS lightly.
Ravi Bishnoi should be brought before 10th over and break the partnership with Sikandar Raza.#IPL23 #TATAIPL2023 #LSGvPBKS— Sayantan Pandit (@codziac) April 15, 2023
