Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spent INR 12.20 crore in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction held in Dubai and bought five bowlers and an all-rounder.
Their purchases at the business event indicate that they wanted to provide strength to their bowling unit, which hasn’t performed up to the mark.
Shivam Mavi was their costliest buy in the auction as the pacer was snapped up for INR 6.40 crore. David Willey and Ashton Agar were also picked up by Lucknow for INR 2 crore and 1 crore respectively.
After reserving the services of these renowned names, Lucknow Super Giants have formed a decent bowling attack as Mark Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohsin Khan, and Ravi Bishnoi were already vital members of the squad. Witnessing LSG’s squad after the auction, it will be interesting to watch how KL Rahul and his men will perform in the upcoming competition. However, the much-awaited tournament is still a few weeks away so for now, let’s talk about LSG’s top five bowling performances.
Here are LSG’s top five greatest bowling performances:
5. Naveen ul-Haq’s 4/38 against Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023
Naveen-ul-Haq (Photo Source: Twitter/X)
In the Eliminator game between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the latter was handed a crushing 81-run defeat. In the massive game, a few things went positive for Lucknow and one of them was Naveen-ul-Haq’s fiery spell.
The Afghanistan speedster bowled four overs in the contest and got the prized scalps of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Cameron Green, and Tilak Varma. Naveen’s tight bowling contained MI on 182 but Lucknow batters failed to counter Akash Madhwal’s disciplined bowling and were bundled out on 101 in 16.3 overs.
4. Yash Thakur’s 4/37 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2023
Yash Thakur (Photo Source: Twitter/X)
In the 2023 clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and LSG at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, the latter scored 257 runs while batting first and registered the second-highest team total in the league.
Following the enormous target, PBKS lost their openers Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh early but Atharva Taide along with Sikandar Raza was looking sensational. At the crucial moment of the game, Yash Thakur stepped up and dismissed Raza on 36 off 22, getting him caught at the deep point at the hands of Krunal Pandya.
After Raza’s fall, Punjab lost Atharva Taide, Liam Livingstone, and Sam Curran and saw themselves in trouble. Thakur took advantage of Punjab’s frail condition in the game, getting rid of Jitesh Sharma and Rahul Chahar. In the final over, the pacer took Shahrukh Khan’s wicket and took his team home. In Lucknow’s scintillating win, Thakur splurged 37 runs in 3.5 overs and got four wickets.
Top 5 bowling performances of Gujarat Giants
3. Avesh Khan’s 4/24 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2022
Avesh Khan (Photo Source: Twitter/X)
Avesh Khan, who made his debut for LSG in 2022, recorded his best IPL bowling figures against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy. In the contest against the Orange Army, Lucknow batted first and put up a quality total of 169 runs on the board.
Chasing the target, SRH faced a double blow in the form of captain Kane Williamson and Abhishek Sharma within the first powerplay. Both losses were inflicted on the 2016 champions by Avesh Khan. At a score of 95, Sunrisers lost four batters but Nicholas Pooran held his nerves and played a fine knock to take his team close to the target.
With 27 required off 16, Avesh struck SRH again with the scalps of Pooran and Abdul Samad. The West Indies stalwart went back to the pavilion after playing a 34-run knock-off 24 balls while Samad got outclassed on a duck. In the end, Hyderabad fell 12 runs short and Avesh got the Player of the Match award for his superb bowling display (4/24 in four overs).
2. Mohsin Khan’s 4/16 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2022
Moshin Khan (Photo Source: Twitter-X)
Uncapped India pacer Mohsin Khan made his IPL debut in 2022 for LSG. Playing his maiden season, he looked fabulous against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Wankhede Stadium and guided his team to a six-run win. Defending 195 runs for his side, Mohsin racked up 4/16 numbers which are his best bowling figures in IPL.
Opening the bowling for Lucknow, Mohsin removed Warner in his second over. His next hunt was DC skipper Rishabh Pant, who had scored 44 off just 29 and was posing a threat to Lucknow. After Pant, Mohsin got the better of Rovman Powell and Shardul Thakur. Powell was looking in excellent touch with his bat and his wicket impacted DC’s innings negatively.
Mohsin concluded his spell with 4/16 figures and riding on his courageous bowling performance, Lucknow restricted DC to 189 and clinched a six-run win. The speedster got the Player of the Match award for his amazing performance.
1. Mark Wood’s 5/14 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2023
Mark Wood (Photo Source: Twitter/X)
In 2023, LSG kicked off their campaign with an emphatic 50-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) at EKANA Sports City. Chasing a mammoth target of 194, the Capitals failed to counter Mark Wood’s challenge.
The English pacer began his spell, picking up the key scalps of Prithvi Shaw and Mitchell Marsh. In his second over, Wood dismissed Sarfaraz Khan and helped his side have a command over the game. Delhi could score only 143 runs in their 20-over quota and Wood concluded his spell with a fifer. The England stalwart’s match-winning 5/14 figures for LSG made him the Player of the Match at the end of the day.