Chennai Super Kings (CSK) proved their bowling prowess during a recent match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), restricting their opponents to 34 for 4 in just seven overs. The match saw outstanding performances from CSK’s Ravindra Jadeja, Maheesh Theekshana, and Moeen Ali, who left LSG’s batsmen reeling.
In a surprising turn of events, Jadeja delivered an unplayable delivery that left Marcus Stoinis dumbfounded. The ball drifted in at leg stump from a left-arm around and turned away viciously, hitting the top of off stump. This exceptional performance contributed to LSG’s slump, as they struggled to gain momentum.
Maheesh Theekshana, who has been a vital addition to CSK’s attack this season, showcased his ability to turn the ball both ways by claiming two crucial wickets in the last over of the powerplay. Theekshana dismissed Manan Vohra (10) and Krunal Pandya (0) off consecutive balls, although Stoinis managed to avert a hat-trick by finding the square-leg boundary with a sweep.
Moeen Ali continued his excellent form this season, dismissing Kyle Mayers for 14 off 17 balls. Moeen’s bowling strategy of maintaining a Test-match length and aiming for maximum turn paid off, as Mayers was caught by Ruturaj Gaikwad at long-off. This marked the third time in four innings that Moeen has dismissed Mayers in T20 cricket.
Earlier in the day, CSK captain MS Dhoni opted to bowl first, citing the tacky pitch conditions due to rain. Deepak Chahar returned to the lineup, while Ben Stokes was still absent. LSG made several changes, including the inclusion of UP captain Karan Sharma and Manan Vohra. Mohsin Khan also made his return to competitive cricket, following his recovery from shoulder surgery.
The weather posed a challenge, as rain delayed the toss and pushed back the start of the match. However, the players eventually took to the field at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, with fans eagerly awaiting the clash between the two sides.
As the match unfolded, Chennai Super Kings displayed their dominance through exceptional bowling, leaving Lucknow Super Giants reeling at 34 for 4 in just seven overs. With top performances from Jadeja, Theekshana, and Moeen Ali, CSK’s bowling attack proved to be a force to be reckoned with.