The 35-year-old Marcus Stoinis is all set to become the next captain for Melbourne Stars in the forthcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. The swashbuckling all-rounder will replace the long-standing skipper Glenn Maxwell who had resigned last season at the end of the supper. 

Stoinis has previously captained Stars in Maxwell's absence in the 2023 BBL season. In the absence of Maxwell from the 2022-23 BBL season, Stoinis emerged as the front-runner to being an interim captain but that role was later handed to Adam Zampa. 

See also: 'Good to see him working on the game' - Harbhajan Singh on Virat Kohli

What does Stoinis have to say about this new role as a Stars' captain?

Stoinis is the second player after Maxwell to feature in 100 BBL games for Melbourne Stars. He has been associated with the franchise for an eternity and his association will further deepen following his three-year contract extension which confirms his availability till the 2026-27 season. 

Therefore, it comes as no surprise, that Stoinis was thrilled to hear this news. Being a devoted servant to his franchise, Stoinis expressed his joy while taking over the leadership role and looks forward to contributing to his team's success in the long run.

"I had a little bit of a taste of captaining the side in Maxi's absence last year and loved the opportunity so to be given the role full-time is a great honour. The Stars have been such a constant in my life every summer for the last 10 years and I truly believe that the group we have assembled both on and off the field can bring some long overdue success to the club."

Blair Crouch has his say on Stoinis' appointment as Stars skipper

While thanking the departing skipper Maxwell for his contributions, Melbourne Stars general manager Blair Crouch showered praise on the 35-year-old all-rounder and feels fortunate to have someone as like him as a captain who has been around for the franchise since it's inception. 

"First of all, I want to acknowledge and thank Glenn Maxwell for all his efforts in leading the side over the past five seasons and he will continue to be a wonderful resource for everyone at the club. Marcus demonstrated his leadership ability last year and has been a senior member of the side for a long time. It's wonderful to have someone who has been at the Stars almost from our inception lead our club in BBL14."

Stoinis will have some serious work to do once he takes over from Maxwell officially. The current Melbourne Starts lineup is missing some big names and is expected to lack a lot of firepower at the beginning of the season. It remains unclear as to when Maxwell will return from his hamstring injury but he will most certainly be out of action from the first match of the season at least. 

The T20 World Cup 2024 has wrapped up, leaving cricket fans across the globe in awe of the stunning performances and nail-biting matches. Among all the excitement, India emerged victorious, lifting the trophy for the second time. While the Indian team’s brilliance was evident, several players from different countries showcased exceptional skills. Here, we look at the best playing XI of the tournament, highlighting the standout performers.

See Also: Rohit Sharma’s unique celebrations after winning T20 World Cup 2024; FIFA and Wimbledon acknowledge

Take a look at best playing of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

This best playing XI, featuring a mix of experienced stalwarts and emerging stars, exemplifies the spirit and excitement of T20 cricket. Each player brought something unique to the table, contributing to memorable performances and unforgettable matches. As we celebrate India’s victory, let’s also appreciate the remarkable efforts of these individuals who made the tournament a spectacular event.

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was a key figure in Afghanistan’s impressive run in the tournament. The Afghan opener’s stats speak volumes: 8 matches, 281 runs, an average of 35.12, and a strike rate of 124.33.

Gurbaz’s role as the steady opener ensured that Afghanistan often had a solid start. His ability to build an innings and set a foundation for a competitive total made him an invaluable asset.

2. Rohit Sharma (IND) (C)

Rohit Sharma, India’s skipper, had a fantastic tournament with the bat. Scoring 257 runs in 8 matches with an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 156.70, Rohit led by example.

His captaincy was a masterclass in strategy. Utilizing four spinners effectively and adapting to match situations, Rohit showcased why he is considered one of the best captains in modern cricket.

3. Andries Gous (USA) (wk)

The USA’s wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous made a significant impact. With 219 runs in 6 matches at an average of 43.80 and a strike rate of 151.03, Gous was a pillar for the USA team.

Gous’s ability to handle pressure and perform in tricky conditions earned him a spot as the keeper-batter in this elite XI.

4. Suryakumar Yadav (IND)

Suryakumar Yadav continued to shine in the T20 format, scoring 199 runs in 8 matches with an average of 28.42 and a strike rate of 135.37.

His knack for adapting to different playing conditions and match situations made him a crucial player for India. Star India batter Suryakumar Yadav took a sensational catch on the boundary to dismiss David Miller and help India win the T20 World Cup 2024.

5. Marcus Stoinis (AUS)

Marcus Stoinis lived up to his ‘Hulk’ nickname with powerful performances. In 7 matches, he scored 169 runs at a strike rate of 164.07 and took 10 wickets.

His dual capabilities as a hard-hitting batter and reliable bowler made him indispensable to the Australian squad. In the match against Namibia, Stoinis scored 59 runs in just 29 balls, with nine fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 203.44.

6. Hardik Pandya (IND

Hardik Pandya bounced back from a tough IPL season with a stellar World Cup performance. He scored 144 runs and took 11 wickets, showcasing his all-round prowess.

Pandya was particularly effective in the US leg of the tournament, where he emerged as a top wicket-taker for India. Hardik defended 16 runs in the final over to ensure a famous win for his team.

7. Axar Patel (IND)

Axar Patel demonstrated his all-round abilities with both bat and ball. He took 9 wickets and scored 92 runs, contributing significantly in all departments.

Axar’s presence added depth to the Indian lineup, providing both offensive and defensive options. Axar Patel’s 47 off 31 balls crucial knock should not be overlooked. Following the loss of three wickets for 34 runs in final match against South Africa, Axar was promoted up the order as a circuit-breaker.

8. Rashid Khan (AFG)

Rashid Khan led Afghanistan with distinction. His 14 wickets in 8 matches, with an economy rate of 6.17, underlined his importance.

Rashid’s best performances came in high-pressure matches, where he delivered critical breakthroughs. He made history in a match against Bangladesh, becoming the first spinner to surpass 150 wickets in T20I cricket and the fourth bowler to record three four-wicket hauls in the tournament.

9. Anrich Nortje (SA)

Anrich Nortje marked his return to international cricket with a bang. He took 13 wickets in 8 matches, with an average of 13.46 and a best of 4-7.

Nortje’s lethal bowling in the powerplay and death overs made him a standout performer for South Africa. The speedster made the most of spicy wickets in USA, kickstarting his campaign with a 4-7 against Sri Lanka.

He’s also been effective in the West Indies, bowling a brilliant final over to secure a close win against England and getting 2-7 in the semi-final against Afghanistan.

10. Jasprit Bumrah (IND)

Jasprit Bumrah was the tournament’s best bowler, with 15 wickets in 8 matches and an economy rate of 4.17. His average of 8.26 reflects his dominance.

As if making up for the fact that he missed the last edition of the tournament due to an injury, Jasprit Bumrah has shown peak form in the tournament.Bumrah’s ability to take wickets in all phases of the game was instrumental in India’s success.

This was most visible against Pakistan in New York, where the irrepressible pacer bamboozled the opposition in each of his short spells, and guided India to a six-run win with his 3-14.

11. Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG)

Fazalhaq Farooqi was a revelation for Afghanistan. With 17 wickets in 9 matches and an economy rate of 6.31, he was a consistent threat to opposition batters.

Fazalhaq Farooqi led Afghanistan’s charge in the group stages with his scintillating new ball display, picking 12 wickets from his first three games, including a career-best 5-9 versus Uganda and 4-17 in his side’s historic win over New Zealand. Farooqi’s impressive performance earned him a well-deserved place in this best XI.

12th Man: Saurabh Netravlakar (USA)

Saurabh Netravalkar’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 was nothing short of inspirational. He played a crucial role in USA’s surprising run to the Super Eights.

His ability to bowl effectively in both powerplays and death overs, including a memorable Super Over against Pakistan, highlighted his skill and composure.

Lucknow Super Giants pulled off an impressive victory against the Mumbai Indians by chasing down a target of 145 runs. This win was crucial for Lucknow as it strengthened their position on the points table.

The match started with Mumbai Indians batting first after losing the toss. However, they faced early trouble, losing wickets quickly and struggling at 28/4 during the powerplay phase. It seemed Lucknow’s bowlers were dominating the game, particularly Mohsin Khan.

Mayank Yadav makes comeback with amazing performance

However, Mumbai Indians managed to stabilize their innings with a partnership between Ishan Kishan and Nehal Wadhera. By the halfway mark, they had reached 57/4, thanks to their efforts. However, Mayank Yadav also gave amazing bowling performances that took the heart.

Towards the end of their innings, Tim David’s explosive hitting and Wadhera’s steady batting helped Mumbai reach a competitive total of 144/7. Despite the tough bowling from Lucknow, especially Mohsin Khan’s impressive performance, Mumbai put up a fight.

Marcus Stoinis and KL Rahul’s partnership bring the win  

In response, Lucknow’s innings began with a setback when Arshin Kulkarni was dismissed early by Nuwan Thushara. However, Marcus Stoinis and KL Rahul built a strong partnership, hitting boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Though Mumbai tried to break through, Hardik Pandya managed to dismiss Rahul and Deepak Hooda. Stoinis, the star of the match, played a crucial innings, but Mohammad Nabi got him out eventually.

As the match progressed, Lucknow lost a few more wickets, but Stoinis’ half-century had already laid a solid foundation. Even though Mumbai tried hard to defend their total, Lucknow’s balanced batting lineup ensured they secured a win with four wickets in hand and four balls remaining.

See Also: Fair or not? Fans get divided as Ayush Badoni given run-out

However, amidst the celebrations, there was a moment of concern for Lucknow when Mayank Yadav had to leave the field due to an injury scare. Mayank, known for his pace, had returned to the team after missing several games due to injury. His absence would have been felt, but Lucknow managed to overcome this hurdle and clinch a memorable victory on home ground.

In an electrifying match at Chepauk, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pulled off an incredible victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). LSG’s Marcus Stoinis emerged as the hero of the day, smashing an astonishing 124 runs off just 63 balls. His remarkable performance not only helped LSG chase down a challenging target of 211 runs but also set a new record for the highest individual score in an IPL chase.

Stoinis shines on the ground 

Stoinis’ spectacular innings guided LSG to a historic win, becoming the first team this season to successfully chase down such a mammoth total. The match also marked the end of CSK’s unbeaten home record, as LSG outplayed them with a brilliant display of batting prowess.

The decision to chase was strategic, influenced by the dew factor in the second half, which made batting easier. LSG capitalized on this advantage, with Stoinis leading the charge and expertly managing the final overs to secure the win.

Despite CSK’s initial control, their defeat was attributed to some faltering performances by their bowlers and sloppy fielding. The impact of dew was evident, with instances like Tushar Deshpande’s high no-ball and Mustafizur Rahman’s cutter affecting the game in LSG’s favor.

LSG shows an amazing comeback

One of the defining moments of the match came in the 16th over, when Shardul Thakur bore the brunt of Stoinis’ onslaught, conceding 20 runs, including three consecutive boundaries.

The match saw several ups and downs, with LSG losing early wickets but Stoinis’ brilliance turned the tide in their favor. Devdutt Padikkal and Nicholas Pooran also made significant contributions before eventually departing.

See Also: India’s chance of traveling to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025 uncertain; Reports

In the end, LSG emerged victorious, shocking CSK with a six-wicket win, as Stoinis’ heroics propelled them to a memorable triumph. This win lifts LSG to fourth place in the points table, with ten points from eight games, while CSK slips to fifth.

Marcus Stoinis delivered a breathtaking performance as he scored an unbeaten 124 runs off just 63 balls to guide Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to a remarkable six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match No.39 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Stoinis’ Performance

Stoinis’ innings were spectacular, marked by aggressive strokeplay and calculated aggression. He played a pivotal role in the highest successful run chase at Chepauk in IPL history, showcasing his prowess with 13 fours and 6 sixes.

See Also: Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets

LSG remained in contention despite losing early wickets, largely due to Stoinis’ masterclass. Other batters, including Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul, and Devdutt Padikkal, made valuable contributions to the team’s total.

Partnership between Stoinis and Pooran

The partnership between Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran proved decisive as they kept the scoreboard ticking with crucial boundaries. Pooran’s aggressive approach complemented Stoinis’ steady innings, shifting the momentum in LSG’s favor.

During the chase, Stoinis kept playing his shots and brought up his half-century off 33 balls, but the required run rate kept climbing. It needed something special from Stoinis and his partner, Nicholas Pooran, to pull off something special.

From there on, Pooran and Stoinis kept playing big shots as LSG needed 54 runs to win off their last 24 balls. Pooran laid into Shardul Thakur in the 16th over, taking 20 runs and shifting the pressure to the CSK camp. The left-hander looked ominous after racing to 34, but Pathirana sent him back as Thakur took a well-judged catch.

Stoinis’ Century

Stoinis’ century, achieved off 56 balls, was a turning point in the match, injecting confidence into the LSG camp. Despite the mounting pressure, Stoinis displayed nerves of steel in the final over, ensuring victory for his team.

LSG’s Victory

The victory propelled LSG to fourth place in the IPL standings, highlighting their resurgence in the tournament. Conversely, CSK slipped to fifth place after suffering consecutive defeats.

LSG No.3 this season
First 7 matches: 56 off 55, six dismissals, Avg: 9.33, SR: 101.81
Stoinis (today): 124* off 63, SR: 196.83

Highest individual scores in IPL run-chases
124* – Marcus Stoinis (LSG) vs CSK, Chennai, 2024
120* – Paul Valthaty (PBKS) vs CSK, Mohali, 2011
119 – Virender Sehwag (DC) vs Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad, 2011
119 – Sanju Samson (RR) vs PBKS, Mumbai WS, 2021
117* – Shane Watson (CSK) vs SRH, Mumbai WS, 2018 final

Highest individual scores for LSG
140* – Quinton de Kock vs KKR, Mumbai DYP, 2022
124* – Marcus Stoinis vs CSK, Chennai, 2024
103* – KL Rahul vs MI, Brabourne, 2022
103* – KL Rahul vs MI, Mumbai WS, 2022
89* – Marcus Stoinis vs MI, Lucknow, 2023

Most individual hundreds in an IPL match
2 – RCB vs GL, Bengaluru, 2016
2 – SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad, 2019
2 – SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad, 2023
2 – RCB vs GT, Bengaluru, 2023
2 – RR vs RCB, Jaipur, 2024
2 – KKR vs RR, Kolkata, 2024
2 – CSK vs LSG, Chennai, 2024

Lucknow Super Giants played really well against Gujarat Titans at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The bowlers of LSG did a fantastic job, making it tough for the Titans to score runs. Even though Titans tried to challenge the target of 165 runs set by LSG, they couldn’t keep up for long.

Yash Thakur from LSG was outstanding, taking 5 wickets for just 30 runs in less than 4 overs. Krunal Pandya also did great, getting three wickets. With their superb bowling, LSG managed to bowl out Titans for only 130 runs in 18.5 overs. This gave LSG a 33-run victory in front of their cheering home fans. This win was LSG’s third in the season, showing their strong performance. Meanwhile, Titans faced their third loss out of five matches played so far.

Krunal Pandya and Yash Thakur makes an impact behind the win

Krunal Pandya, who hasn’t been in top form lately in the IPL, showed his old magic on Sunday. He bowled amazingly, taking three crucial wickets. He dismissed Sudharsan in the ninth over, then got Darshan Nalkande and BR Sharath in the same over. Pandya bowled four overs, gave away just 11 runs, and took three wickets.

Mayank Yadav couldn’t continue playing due to a side strain, so Thakur stepped up. He did exceptionally well.

Thakur bowled so fast that even GT captain Gill couldn’t handle it and got out. Then, in his second over in the 15th over of the game, he bowled two maiden wickets, which dashed any hopes GT had left. Thakur dismissed Vijay Shankar and Rashid Khan, then took two more wickets in the penultimate over, completing a fantastic five-wicket haul.

See Also: Lucknow Super Giants beat Gujarat Titans by 33 runs; Points Table updated

Marcus Stoinis flourish with his performance

Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants decided to bat first after winning the toss. Marcus Stoinis played really well and scored 58 runs from 43 balls. He hit four boundaries and two sixes. KL Rahul also played an important role, scoring 33 runs from 31 balls. Together, Stoinis and Rahul added 73 runs to help Super Giants recover after losing two early wickets.

Nicholas Pooran played a great innings towards the end, scoring 32 runs from 22 balls. He hit a six in each of the last three overs, helping Super Giants reach a total of 163 runs. Ayush Badoni also contributed with a quick 20 runs from 11 balls. They added 31 runs together, which was important for the team.

Cricket Australia (CA) recently released the names of the 23 players who have won new contracts on Thursday, with veteran all-rounder Marcus Stoinis the biggest omission on a new deal.

However, Stoinis has suffered back injuries in recent times, but he was part of Australia’s winning ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup squad last year and remains on the radar in their selection process for June’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as well.

Marcus Stoinis dropped from the new contract

However, Marcus Stoinis is joined by another all-rounder Ashton Agar, opening batter Marcus Harris, pacer Michael Neser and recently retired star David Warner as well who have missed out on fresh contracts, with CA opting to provide deals to the new faces as well.

All-rounders Matt Short and Aaron Hardie have been included in the new deals after they were upgraded to the contract list during the summer along with the fast bowler Nathan Ellis. Meanwhile, young right-armer Xavier Bartlett was also added to a full-time contract after impressing with the ball against the West Indies earlier this year as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

However, Cricket Australia selection chair George Bailey is confident that the players with new deals have great future ahead of them as well.

“Matt, Aaron and Xavier have been extremely impressive in the early stages of their international careers. Their performances and the way they have embraced the international stage has been exciting to watch,” he said. “The panel believes they have strong futures and are deserved of their contracts as they work towards striving to become regulars in the Australian setup.”

Cricket Australia contracted men’s players for 2024-25:

Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Australia’s T20I squad is undergoing substantial changes as they adapt ahead of the remaining matches against India. Departing players include Steve Smith and Adam Zampa, paving the way for the return of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, and Sean Abbott. Josh Philippe and Ben McDermott have been named as replacements, while Ben Dwarshuis and Chris Green are set to join the squad later in the series.

Chris Green, poised for a potential debut in Raipur or the series finale in Bengaluru, brings extensive T20 experience from various leagues worldwide. His inclusion adds depth to the Australian side, complementing his demonstrated skills in domestic cricket. McDermott’s call-up is a result of Marnus Labuschagne’s involvement in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield team, and Josh Phillippe joins the Indian series due to his limited red-ball form in the Sheffield Shield.

The third T20I in Guwahati is pivotal for Australia, aiming for a victory after facing defeats in the initial two matches. Despite Josh Inglis’ remarkable century in the series opener, India successfully chased down Australia’s 208 to secure a narrow win. In the second match, India posted a formidable 235, limiting Australia to 191 despite resilient efforts from the middle order.

See Also:Carey and Labuschagne Scheduled for Sheffield Shield Participation Prior to Pakistan Test Matches

Steve Smith, set to open for the Sydney Sixers in BBL 13 before the Pakistan Test series, showcased his form with scores of 52 off 41 and 19 off 16 in the earlier T20Is. With only Travis Head remaining from the World Cup-winning squad in India, the team is eager to secure a crucial victory in the upcoming clash to revive their series hopes against a formidable Indian side.

The revised Australia T20I squad for India includes Matthew Wade (c), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott (withdrawn), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Chris Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (withdrawn), Glenn Maxwell (withdrawn), Ben McDermott, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith (withdrawn), Marcus Stoinis (withdrawn), Kane Richardson, and Adam Zampa (withdrawn).

Updated Australia T20 squad

Matthew Wade (c), Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Chris Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Ben McDermott, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Kane Richardson

The Lucknow track has been tricky for batters throughout the season, and it was no different the other night as everyone, except Marcus Stoinis struggled. Marcus Stoinis alone struck at a strong pace going with a strike rate higher than 170, while the others, including the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Tim David struggled to get going.

Stoinis though did not start easy. He too was slow up front making only 35 in his first 29 balls. The others around him didn’t do much better. Early wickets, and a stabilizing act by Krunal Pandya helped set a platform, but Lucknow were far from a score which looked defendable against a powerful Mumbai Indians batting line-up. Stoinis though, with his muscle power and might cranked it up in the back end. He made 54 off his last 18 balls, smashing eight sixes.

This season has already been his best. With the bat, despite starting a touch slow, Marcus Stoinis has gone on to make his three highest scores in the league, and has looked menacing as a finisher. Before this game though, Stoinis made those other big scores on tracks which are known to be really good for batters. Today though, Stoinis found it easy on a track which was pretty tricky.

A couple weeks ago his position in the line-up was a doubt with Quinton De Kock coming back from national duty and Kyle Mayers smoking the ball up top. Lucknow did eventually bench Mayers, leading to the possibility of Stoinis moving to the top, a position of success with the Melbourne Stars. Stoinis though continued to stay back with his power adding value to the back end of the innings and the move to keep him in the back seems to have paid off.

Against Mumbai Indians, and against Chris Jordan in the 18th over, his power was evident. Jordan threw whatever he could at Stoinis, changing his pace, looking for the yorker, and even trying to hurry him for pace. Stoinis though was unfazed as he took Jordan for 24 runs to increase his head to head success against Jordan.

Jason Behrendorff, a teammate of Marcus Stoinis at Western Australia, knows that Stoinis loves pace on the ball. Stoinis though, despite all the variations, once again found the fence, and continued to work his magic up until the final over against Madhwal, who was bowling really well up until that point.

A key aspect of his hitting was his shape. Despite slogging really well, Marcus Stoinis did not lose his shape, held his position nicely and was solid, allowing him to get on top of the bowlers. He did well against the spinners as well, and with Marcus Stoinis having the ability to contribute with the ball too, he has made himself look all the more dangerous once again. With the bat, he already knows how to dominate pace, and has also found a way to take on the spinners making him a player who could pose a threat across the country, regardless of the surface.

38th Match, IPL: Lucknow Super Giants 257 for 5 (Marcus Stoinis 72, Mayers 54, Pooran 45, Badoni 43, Rabada 2-52) beat Punjab Kings 201 (Taide 66, Thakur 4-37, Naveen 3-30, Bishnoi 2-41) by 56 runs

Stoinis Marcus: 72 off 40 balls. Mayers, Kyle: 54 from 24. Nicholas Petty: 45 off 19. Badoni, Ayush: 43 from 24. Their contributions led the Lucknow Super Giants to a 257-5 record, the second-highest total in tournament history and the highest total this IPL season.

Atharva Taide hit a 36-ball 66 for Punjab Kings, who fought hard to get past 200, but they never really got close to hitting an unlikely target. Super Monsters won by 56 runs eventually, and their net-run-rate support lifted them from fourth to second on the focuses table.

The hitting by LSG was mind-blowing: The statisticians had a full night because their batters hit 27 fours and 14 sixes together.

Unstoppable Marcus Stoinis

Stoinis had been run out for 21 or less five times in his previous seven innings this season, including for duck in his most recent match against Chennai Super Kings. LSG, on the other hand, has flourished once he finds his stride. He’d hammered 65 off 30 in a fruitful pursuit of 213 against Regal Challengers Bangalore, and here in Mohali Stoinis was correspondingly fierce.

It started with a free-hit off the second legal ball of the eighth over that Stoinis flicked for six off Gurnoor Brar, who was making his debut. The following ball was driven for four, and Stoinis was away. He guided Sam Curran for four behind point in the tenth over; what’s more, when the bowler attempted a slower delivery, he set him aside with a short-arm pull.

In the 13th over, Liam Livingstone caught Stoinis off Rahul Chahar on the long-off boundary when his left foot touched the rope. Stoinis before long arrived at fifty from 31 balls, his innings of 72 ultimately highlighting five sixes.

Badoni and Pooran keep the fireworks going

When Stoinis went off strike, the bowlers had no time to rest. Together with Stoinisk, Badoni scored 89 runs for the third wicket and struck three fours and three sixes at a strike rate close to 180. Pooran was brought into the crease after his dismissal in the 14th over, and he immediately hit Liam Livingstone for three fours.

Only one six from Pooran’s 19 shots was a swivel pull that sailed high over fine leg. However, he hit seven fours, most of which were timed perfectly through outfield gaps, with a late squeeze behind Arshdeep’s point standing out.

Taide fights, but PBKS fall well short

Sent in at No. 3 After Shikhar Dhawan left in the first over, Taide continued to play along with his partners. Taide scored five boundaries, including a leg-side hoick, a drive past mid-off, and a slap through point, off one Avesh Khan over, and a big six off Amit Mishra shortly after the powerplay, accounting for 31 of PBKS’ 47 runs.

Taide got to his 50 years from 26 deliveries to begin the 10th once again, yet by then PBKS’ required rate was at that point taking steps to contact 16 an over. And with six wickets remaining, PBKS needed a near-impossible 131 runs from seven overs when Taide left after missing a slog sweep off Ravi Bishnoi.

Livingstone, Curran, and Jitesh Sharma kept adding more boundaries until there were 67, which was the second-most in an IPL game. However, the game was over by that point.