Could Mitchell Marsh’s 117 Lead Lucknow Super Giants to Victory?

Ahmedabad, May 22 (NationPress) Opener Mitchell Marsh achieved the record for the fastest century by a Lucknow Super Giants player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by scoring a remarkable 117 runs off just 64 balls. This phenomenal performance helped his team set a colossal total of 235/2 in their 20 overs against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.

Choosing to bat first on a pitch with black soil, Marsh capitalized on every loose delivery, exhibiting remarkable power-hitting skills. His maiden IPL century comprised ten boundaries and eight sixes, boasting a strike rate of 182.81. A highlight of his innings was an explosive over against Rashid Khan, where he scored 25 runs.

He received solid support from Aiden Markram, who contributed a brisk 36 runs off 24 balls, while Nicholas Pooran’s promotion to the number three spot paid off, as he ended up with an impressive 56 not out off 27 deliveries, featuring four fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 207.41. For the Titans, it was a disappointing outing, as none of their bowlers could make a significant impact on a pitch that favored batting.

After being put into bat, Markram and Marsh accumulated seven boundaries during a cautious power-play, tallying 53 runs, with Marsh being dropped twice. The initial six overs also witnessed Arshad Khan slipping twice during his opening over but managed to complete his bowling quota.

Marsh quickly found his rhythm, smashing six boundaries in overs 7-10 and reaching his fifty in just 34 balls with a straight six off R. Sai Kishore. Although Kishore provided a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Markram, Pooran soon got into the groove by hitting him for a six over long-off.

When Rashid returned to bowl in the 12th over, Marsh unleashed his full potential, striking him for 25 runs with a series of swipes, cuts, and lofted shots. Pooran continued to punish spinners, and together, they scored 20 runs off Siraj’s last over. The duo also took four runs off Arshad before Marsh reached his century in just 56 balls.

Marsh hit back-to-back sixes in the 18th over bowled by Krishna before being caught at backward point off Arshad, concluding an impressive partnership of 121 runs for the second wicket with Pooran. Following Pooran’s six off Arshad, Rishabh Pant hit two sixes off Rabada in the final over, allowing LSG to secure their third-highest total in IPL history.

Brief scores:

Lucknow Super Giants 235/2 in 20 overs (Mitchell Marsh 117, Nicholas Pooran 56 not out; R. Sai Kishore 1-34, Arshad Khan 1-36) against Gujarat Titans