Lucknow, April 12 (NationPress) A spirited late-game charge led by the lower order enabled the Lucknow Super Giants to achieve a respectable score of 164/8 in 20 overs against the Gujarat Titans during the 19th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

After being invited to bat first, LSG enjoyed a lively start during the powerplay, reaching 60/2 despite losing early wickets. Mitchell Marsh set the pace with a rapid 11 runs off just four deliveries before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada, while Rishabh Pant provided a boost with a quickfire 18 off 11 balls, including a six and two boundaries, until Mohammed Siraj sent him back.

Opener Aiden Markram then steadied the innings during the middle phase, crafting a solid 30 off 21 balls. He consistently found the boundaries and seemed poised for a bigger score, but the disciplined bowling from Gujarat disrupted the rhythm at key moments. Prasidh Krishna was particularly effective, taking Markram out with a well-timed short ball, halting a promising partnership.

As the match progressed, LSG struggled to maintain their momentum, losing wickets in quick succession. Ayush Badoni managed just 9 runs, and Nicholas Pooran scored 19 runs off 21 balls, struggling to find the acceleration needed with only two sixes in his innings before falling to Prasidh. Abdul Samad, who scored 18 off 22 balls, also failed to capitalize on his start, as Gujarat tightened their grip with a mix of pace variations and targeted lengths.

At one point, LSG found themselves at a precarious 120/6 in the 17th over, facing the prospect of a subpar total. Nevertheless, a late surge from Mukul Choudhary, George Linde, and Mohammed Shami provided the necessary lift. Mukul contributed 18 runs off 14 balls, including a six, while Linde's brisk 16 off 10 balls, highlighted by three boundaries, helped boost the score in the death overs.

The final over was particularly lucrative, generating 18 runs as Mohammed Shami finished the innings with a six and a boundary, while Avesh Khan added a four, propelling the total beyond the 160-mark.

For the Titans, Prasidh Krishna stood out with impressive figures of 4/28, consistently challenging the batters with his change of pace and short-ball tactics. Rabada had a challenging outing, conceding 54 runs in his four overs despite claiming a wicket, while Siraj (1/19) and Ashok Sharma (2/32) provided timely breakthroughs.

Despite a robust beginning, LSG's failure to establish lasting partnerships in the middle overs held them back. However, their late-game acceleration has ensured they have a fighting total, setting the stage for an exciting chase in the second innings.

Brief Scores: Lucknow Super Giants 164/8 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 30, Nicholas Pooran 19; Prasidh Krishna 4-28, Ashok Sharma 2-32) against Gujarat Titans.