Marsh's Blazing 117 Halts GT's Top-Two Push
Marsh's Blazing 117 Halts GT's Top-Two Push
IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants stun Gujarat Titans by 33 runs, Marsh(117) and O’Rourke(3/27) shine for LSG's win contribution.
Mitchell Marsh smashed his first-ever IPL century, while Nicholas Pooran found his explosive form again as Lucknow Super Giants slowed down Gujarat Titans' push for a top-two finish. LSG put up a massive 235/2, but GT fought hard in response. Sherfane Rutherford (38 off 22) and Shahrukh Khan (57 off 29) tried to keep GT in the game, but they fell short by 33 runs.
Lucknow Super Giants Innings
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) put up a massive total of 235/2, powered by a stunning innings from Mitchell Marsh, who smashed his maiden IPL century. The openers, Marsh and Aiden Markram, had a steady start, scoring 53 runs in the PowerPlay, despite taking some body blows. As the innings progressed, Marsh took charge, dominating Prasidh Krishna and Sai Kishore, and reaching his half-century in just 33 balls, while Markram contributed 36 runs off 23 balls before getting out.
Nicholas Pooran joined the attack with an explosive knock, reigniting his form with a 23-ball fifty and helping Marsh take on Rashid Khan for 25 runs in a single over. Marsh crossed 500 runs in the season while LSG crushed GT’s spin attack, scoring 70 runs in five overs. In the final phase, Marsh and Pooran accelerated further, with Marsh reaching his 117 off 64 before getting dismissed. Rishabh Pant wrapped up the innings with two sixes in the last over, ensuring LSG finished at a commanding total, leaving Gujarat Titans with a tough chase ahead.
Gujarat Titans Innings
Gujarat Titans (GT) started their chase strongly, scoring 67/1 in the PowerPlay, as Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan hit plenty of boundaries. However, Sudharsan fell to William O'Rourke, and Jos Buttler finished the PowerPlay with two fours and two sixes off Avesh Khan.
The middle overs proved challenging for GT, as for only the second time this season, none of their top three batters reached 50 runs. Avesh Khan dismissed Gill with a sharp catch from Abdul Samad, while Akash Deep’s cutter sent Buttler packing. With GT at 97/3, the pressure shifted to the middle order. Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford fought back, smashing quick runs off O'Rourke and Akash, and picked up 17 runs in an over off Avesh Khan. Rutherford played some innovative shots, including a flicked six and a reverse sweep. Heading into the death overs, GT needed 71 off 30 balls.
However, LSG's bowlers tightened their grip. Shahrukh started well in the 16th over, smashing a boundary and a six, but O'Rourke struck twice in one over, removing Rutherford and Rahul Tewatia. Shahrukh still managed a 22-ball fifty, but GT’s chances faded as Shahbaz Ahmed and Avesh Khan chipped away at the batting lineup. With 38 runs needed off the final over, Ayush Badoni stepped up, took two wickets, and sealed LSG's 33-run victory, dealing a blow to GT's top-two hopes.