The 38th match of the IPL 2023 saw Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) facing off against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the PCA stadium in Mohali on April 28.
LSG was coming off a shameful loss against GT in their home game, where they failed to chase down a 136-run target despite needing just 36 runs in 30 balls with 9 wickets in hand during the encounter.
Shikhar Dhawan, who was back as captain of the Punjab Kings, won the toss and chose to bowl first. Apart from him, PBKS also brought Kagiso Rabada and Sikandar Raza into the XI. While in the LSG camp, Yash Thakur came into the side.
LSG began their innings on a positive note as openers KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers went after the bowling. Arshdeep Singh went for 17 runs in his first over and second of the innings. Though Rahul got out for 12 runs off Kagiso Rabada, it only amplified the problems for PBKS.
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Mayers made 54 in 24 balls with 7 fours and 4 sixes and Ayush Badoni, who was promoted to no.3, contributed 43 in 24 balls with 3 fours and as many sixes. LSG posted 74/2 in their first 6 overs.
However, after their dismissal came the real carnage as Marcus Stoinis continued the assault with 72 in 40 balls with 6 fours and 5 sixes and Nicholas Pooran made 45 in 19 balls with 7 fours and 1 six.
The duo made PBKS bowlers pay for every mistake as LSG posted 257/5 in 20 overs, the second-highest-ever team total in IPL history. For PBKS, KAgiso Rabada picked 2/52 in his 4 overs.
The highest team total in IPL belongs to Royal Challengers Bangalore, who creamed 263/5 against Pune Warriors India, in the match in which Chris Gayle hammered 175*.
Meanwhile, this carnage was enough for the cricket fraternity to be left stunned and they shared their reaction on Twitter.
Here are the tweets:
