CHENNAI, India: Australia’s Marcus Stoinis hit an unbeaten 124 as Lucknow Super Giants chased down a target of 211 with six wickets and three balls to spare against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.
It was Stoinis’ first IPL century and his second in T20 cricket, trumping an unbeaten 108 by Chennai skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad at his home M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
Lucknow looked in trouble at 88-3 after 11 overs but Stoinis put on 70 runs with Nicholas Pooran, who hit 34 off 15 balls, and an unbeaten 65-run stand with Deepak Hooda to achieve victory in 19.3 overs.
Stoinis reached his hundred in 56 balls as he and Hooda, who made 17 not out off six balls, secured Lucknow’s second straight win over Chennai, replacing the five-time winners in fourth spot.
Needing 17 to win in the final over, Stoinis smashed Mustafizur Rahman for a six and three fours, including one off a no ball.
“Tough pill to swallow, but good game of cricket,” said Gaikwad. “LSG played really well in the back end. We had the game in control till 13-14 overs, but Stoinis played a great innings.”
Stoinis walked in in the first over after Quinton de Kock’s departure for a duck and paced his innings to perfection as he hit 13 fours and six sixes in his 63-ball knock.
It was the highest score by a batsman while chasing in the IPL.
Hooda said Stoinis “played like a warrior, he is a kind of motivation to us.”
Sri Lanka pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana took two wickets including the dangerous Pooran.
Chennai posted 210-4 courtesy of Gaikwad’s second IPL ton and a 104-run stand between the captain and Shivam Dube, who smashed 66, after the hosts were invited to bat first.
Gaikwad took on the opposition attack despite losing Ajinkya Rahane and Daryl Mitchell and raised his hundred from 56 balls with a six and four.
Gaikwad became only the third Chennai player after India’s Murali Vijay and Australia’s Shane Watson to hit two IPL tons and moved to second in this season’s batting chart with 349 runs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Virat Kohli tops the chart with 379 runs.
Dube got to his fifty with a four and a six before being run out in the final over, which saw veteran M.S. Dhoni walk out to a rousing reception and hit a four off the final ball.
Unbeaten Stoinis ton helps Lucknow chase 211 to beat CSK
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Unbeaten Stoinis ton helps Lucknow chase 211 to beat CSK
- It was Stoinis’ first IPL century and his second in T20 cricket, trumping an unbeaten 108 by Chennai skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Stoinis reached his hundred in 56 balls as he and Hooda, who made 17 not out off six balls, secured Lucknow’s second straight win over Chennai
Eala electrifies packed crowd with remarkable comeback win at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- Filipina star defeated Sasnovich 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 in thrilling encounter to secure quarterfinal spot
ABU DHABI: On a dramatic day at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, Filipina star Alexandra Eala delivered the headline moment, emerging a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 winner from a thrilling near three-hour epic against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
The electric atmosphere at packed Stadium Court proved pivotal as Eala fought back from 4-0 down in the deciding set, with the crowd’s roaring support spurring her on through a dramatic tiebreak victory that secured her place in the quarterfinals. The Filipina star’s remarkable comeback had the stands erupting in celebration.
“The support is really great (in Abu Dhabi),” said Eala following her victory.
“I’ve been in a lot of positions before with a lot of people, but this year has really stepped up a notch. With every match I play in these environments, I’m learning to have fun and enjoy it. What’s special here is seeing the crowd get excited, and knowing there are so many Filipino expats in the region who come together for moments like this. It’s a platform for them to celebrate and share in something they’re excited about. I’m really grateful for that support.”
Earlier in the day, Ekaterina Alexandrova proved too strong for Dayana Yastremska in straight sets, while Czech qualifier Sara Belem produced a stunning upset over former finalist Jelena Ostapenko. British No. 2 Sonay Kartal also advanced, defeating lucky loser Renata Zarazua in straight sets — Zarazua stepping in after defending champion Belinda Bencic unfortunately withdrew due to illness.
On the doubles side, the quarterfinals saw Perez and Schurs defeat Alexandrova and Joint in a super tiebreak, while Khromacheva and Klepac progressed in a closely contested three-set battle. Kenin and Krawczyk advanced via walkover.
