IPL 2024: There were some bowlers we wanted to target and some bowlers we wanted to be more cautious against – Marcus Stoinis

Lucknow Super Giants’ talismanic batter Marcus Stoinis revealed his batting plan against defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Tuesday. Stoinis wanted to take on the attack against particular bowlers and respect seamers like Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman.

Stoinis scored a match-winning knock of 124 runs off just 63 balls with the help of 13 fours and six maximums to help his team get over the line with six wickets in the run-chase of 211 runs. The Australian played at the top of his game and he was the lone warrior for LSG in the run-chase.

LSG was under the cosh as they needed 87 runs in the last six overs but Stoinis kept up with the required run rate. The power-hitter was able to score 17 runs in the last over against Mustafizur Rahman to help his team bag two points.

Stoinis also got support from Nicholas Pooran, who smashed a crucial cameo of 15-ball 34. Furthermore, Deepak Hooda scored a6-ball 17 in the end.

Stoinis, who was awarded Player of the Match for his blistering knock, said in the post-match presentation, “In these competitions, there are plenty of better opening batters better than me so I’ll leave it to them. It’s not just go go go, there were some bowlers we wanted to target and some bowlers we wanted to be more cautious against. There was a phase where I wasn’t able to hit the boundaries so it was great Pooran could come in and take the pressure off. Lots of ebbs and flows, just tried to keep it in control. You’re planning and structuring, you’re not liking certain bowlers and you’re liking others more. I do think T20 cricket is changing, the scores that have been scored, the impact player role and how teams are taking on the bowlers.”

Meanwhile, Stoinis was not given a contract by Cricket Australia for the 2024-25 season but he said he wants to still represent the national team at the top level.

Stoinis concluded, “I’ve got a great relationship with the coach (Australian Head coach), me not getting a contract, I knew that long ago. It’s great to let the kids come in and get an opportunity, I’m happy to let them take my spot. But on the playing front, I’d like to play and contribute.”

Lucknow Super Giants will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Saturday.