LSG’s brutal batter Mitchell Marsh was in the beast mode against GT. Mitchell Marsh‘s staggering ton of 117 runs in 64 balls laid a huge foundation while setting the gigantic target of 236 runs. Mitchell Marsh though played a bit unorthodox innings at the start of his innings and then later cashed in & was quite ruthless.
Mitchell Marsh’s turbulent ton
Aiden Markram & Mitchell Marsh got LSG to a flyer with 53 runs in powerplay overs. Mohammed Siraj bowled immaculate line & lengths to Mitchell Marsh and at the start of the innings he was struggling to clear the fence. The tuning between Marsh & Markram was quite remarkable as Markram took on the bowlers from other end which we have seen in previous matches as well.
It seemed as if Mitchell Marsh’s powerplay began after 6 overs. GT bowlers were demolished around the park. Markram’s quick fire knock of 36 runs in 24 balls (*3 fours and 2 sixes) benefited Marsh to get his eye in. In the 12th over, the flamboyant all-rounder showed no mercy to Rashid Khan and scored 25 runs in his over and whacked him for 2 fours and 2 sixes as there was pin drop silence in the crowd.
At the end of 12 overs, LSG’s score was 132-1. Mitchell Marsh who has a knack of being deep in crease did wonders as GT astonishingly went for short ball ploy which backfired enormously. Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj & Praisdh Krishna didn’t try that much to take the pace off the ball as Mitchell Marsh’s brute force and muscle power often gets him into trouble as well.
Mitchell Marsh’s incredible shot selection
Mitchell Marsh got to his maiden IPL ton in 56 balls and it took 15 years for him to get to the landmark in IPL. We must also give credit to Nicholas Pooran as the duo formed a 121 runs partnership in 52 balls. Marsh had a whooping 70% control which is quite surreal to see. Marsh showed that he can be lethal even after getting a shaky start to his innings.
Marsh’s score at one point was 22 runs in 19 balls and then he took a giant jump & crashed GT’s bowling line-up. The above wagon wheel shows us how Marsh targeted to hit the boundaries in the ‘V’ direction (*long on, long off & straight down the ground*). Marsh’s ton was one of the biggest positives & reasons for LSG’s win over GT by 33 runs, as chasing 236 runs isn’t an ideal scenario. In the death overs, LSG scored 75 runs which deepen the agony for GT.
LSG spoiled the figures of GT as no doubt, they are at the top with 18 points from 13 matches, but their NRR is +0.602. If GT don’t win their next match against CSK on 25th May at the same venue, Ahmedabad, then who knows MI can dethrone them at the top given MI’s NRR is +1.292. Though RCB & PBKS are also in race of the top two finishes with 2 matches left with 17 points each but this defeat has given GT a slight wake-up call.
Also Read:Â GT vs LSG : Reasons For GT’s Defeat Against LSG