It was a tough equation—21 off the final over, and it came down to 5 off 3 balls. Imagine Marcus Stoinis being under severe pressure after being struck for 4,6,6 by KKR's Rinku Singh. A loss here would have tarnished his image as one of the most effective all-rounders of the contemporary era.
With his bat remaining silent throughout the event, his poor bowling could have harmed his own self-esteem. Nonetheless, nothing of the sort happened, as the Aussie went on to account for dangerous man Rinku and Umesh Yadav, ensuring that LSG beat KKR by two runs.
“Especially the fact that two guys were pretty in and they’d been hitting it pretty well for the last three overs. You’re confident, but all you’re trying to do is think of one ball at a time and what you’re trying to do. For us bowling, usually we’re always aiming at something, the feet of the batsmen or the stumps,” he said.
“When you are bowling those wide yorkers, it is a bit different for me personally just trying to visualize where that line is and I was missing that a bit so I feel more comfortable going to a straighter yorker,” Stoinis revealed after the match.
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He applauded Ewin Lewis for making the incredible catch that turned the game. The Australian allrounder knew the game was getting close, and if that catch had been lost, LSG's season would have ended.
“I don’t think he knew it was going to him. And then he just stuck one hand and I can’t believe it stuck. We’re giving him Man of the Match. He chilled all game and he was so looking forward to batting, and then he ends up pulling out a one-handed blinder. That’s the game.”
He then used a yorker to get Umesh Yadav out for a thrilling victory by 2 runs. Lucknow qualified for the playoffs with this win after scoring 18 points in 14 league games.
They joined the Gujarat Titans, who had made the playoffs for the first time in the current season.
“The conference happens and you see everyone run in from everywhere, which is good. Everyone wants to have an input. But you have to bowl what you believe is your best ball and set the field accordingly. Thank God," he signed off.
(ANI inputs)
