Marcus Stoinis’s unbeaten 124 powered Lucknow Super Giants to the highest successful run-chase at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad lead his team from the front as he hit his first century to help the hosts post a gigantic total of 210/4 in 20 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad (108) was well supported by Shivam Dube (66) as the duo forged a 104 run partnership for the 4th wicket. MS Dhoni applied the finishing touches to the innings of CSK as he smashed a boundary on the final delivery of the innings.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s century was overshadowed by Australia’s Marcus Stoinis who smashed a stunning century to help LSG seal a thrilling victory. Stoinis hit 124 off 63 balls as Lucknow chased down the target in 19.3 overs. Stoinis was well supported by Nicholas Pooran (34 off 15 balls) and Deepak Hooda (17 off 6 balls) to help Lucknow Super Giants complete the highest successful run chase at Chepauk.

Marcus Stoinis was named the Player of the Match for his stunning century. Stoinis hit 13 sixes in his first-ever IPL ton. Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted that the 6 wicket defeat at the hands of Lucknow Super Giants is a tough pill to swallow for the defending champions.

Earlier Lucknow Super Giants won the toss and opted to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings. Pace bowler Mat Henry picked up the crucial wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in the first over as Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul caught a one-handed stunner in the first over of the match. Both the teams showcased brilliant batting display, but nerves got to the best of Chennai Super King’s bowling attack as Pathirana and Mustafizur just could not contain Stoinis’s onslaught and were hit all round the park.

Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a brilliant century as Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians by 9 wickets in their IPL match in Jaipur on Monday. Sandeep Sharma took a maiden 5-wicket haul to help Rajasthan Royals restrict Mumbai Indians to 179/9. After the rain interrupted the match RR chased down the total of 180 with 8 balls to spare.

Yashasvi Jaiswal looked in top class form as he was the top-scorer of Rajasthan Royals with 104 runs off 60 deliveries. He was well supported from Jos Butler (35) and Sanju Samson (38*) as Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious by 9 wickets.

Earlier, Trent Boult (2/32) sent back Rohit Sharma (6) to the pavillion in the first over itself, while Sandeep Sharma took a 5 wicket haul and claimed the wickets of Ishan Kishan (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (10) in successive overs to reduce Mumbai Indians to 20/3 after they opted to bat first. But Tilak Varma brought his team back into the game and hit 3 sixes and five fours scoring 65 runs. He was well supported by Nehal Wadehera (49 from 24 balls) as the duo forged a partnership of 99 runs from 52 deliveries for the 5th wicket.

Rajasthan Royals bowler Sandeep Sharma took a 5 wicket haul against Mumbai Indians. He said his plan was to use variations and cutters while he tore down the Mumbai Indians batting line up. He picked up 5 important wickets and gave away just 18 runs in his 4-over spell at an economy rate of 4.50.

While speaking at the post-match presentation, Sandeep Sharma said he felt good after a comeback from injury. The 30-year-old pacer added that he was enjoying every game in the ongoing season of IPL. After this victory, the Rajasthan Royals hold the top spot in the IPL 2024 standings with 14 points. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians stand in 7^th place place with 6 points.

India captian and Mumbai Indians star cricketer Rohit sharma criticised the impact player rule and sad that he is not a big fan of it. Now, BCCI has responded to Sharma’s comment and said that they will reevaluate the rule.

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal also acknowledged this and said  that every decision has advantages and disadvantages, he also mentioned  BCCI is prepared to review the regulation when the current IPL season concludes.

Ahead to being established in the IPL, the impact player rule was initially put into effect in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament in 2022–2023. There have been many expert comments regarding the rule that has been in place for almost two editions of the prestigious T20 tournament, with the many of players being against it.

Since this remark has been made, they will certainly analyze it and talk to everyone concerned and then the board will take calls, Dhumal said.

Every rule that is in place has a number of advantages and disadvantages. Nothing about its execution is set in stone, so after the season ends, they are open to any discussion, he continued.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma also discussed how the impact player rule is reducing the role of all-rounders in the sport.

Sharma said, he is not a big fan of Impact sub rule. All rounders will eventually be held back because cricket is ultimately played by 11 players, not 12. To make the game exciting for everyone around you, you are taking a great deal from it. During an interew the hitman said, if the audience look just at the cricketing side of things, he feels guys like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar aren’t getting to bowl, which is not a good thing for them as a team.

He continued saying that there are 12 players, it’s interesting, and after the team or the captain sees how the game and the pitch are playing, they might turn on the impact player. You can add another bowler, giving you a total of six or seven bowlers, if the team bats effectively and don’t lose wickets. Many teams are hitting well up front, and he hardly ever sees a No 7 or No 8 coming to bat, so the team doesn’t need that additional batter, Rohit Sharma said.