‘Single handedly destroying MI’ – Twitter in disbelief after Marcus Stoinis’ scathing assault in Lucknow

Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2023 clash against five-time champions Mumbai Indians got off to a stumbling start after the visitors took control of the proceedings in the powerplay. However, LSG’s hard-hitting Aussie all-rounder Marcus Stoinis took the game by the scruff of the neck, compiling a ballistic innings to take his side to a challenging total.

The home side, led by Krunal Pandya, lost make-shift opener Deepak Hooda and last match’s protagonist Prerak Mankad on consecutive deliveries in the third over of the match. Quinton de Kock was next to depart in the very first over after the powerplay. 

However, Krunal Pandya and Marcus Stoinis registered the highest partnership at the venue to steady the ship for the Lucknow-based franchise. While the LSG skipper missed his half-century by just one run after sustaining an injury, Stoinis upped the ante from the other end.

Stoinis’ brutal assault against Chris Jordan deflates MI

The well-built Aussie all-rounder, who played an important hand in the last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, took a liking to Mumbai’s Chris Jordan, smashing the English pacer for 24 runs in an over, reaching his half-century in the process. He continued to pile the pressure on the opposition bowlers as he dispatched compatriot Jason Behrendorff for consecutive sixes in the penultimate over of the first innings.

Although he was devoid of the strike for much of the final over, Stoinis finished the innings on a high, smashing Akash Madhwal for a maximum on the final delivery. The burly Aussie dasher remained unbeaten at the crease, smashing 89 runs off just 47 deliveries to take his side to more than a competitive total of 177 runs in their 20 overs.