Marcus Stoinis delivered an exceptional performance for Lucknow Super Giants in an unforgettable match against Chennai Super Kings, securing a remarkable victory by successfully chasing down a daunting target of 211 runs. This feat, achieved at the formidable Chepauk stadium, marked a significant milestone as Stoinis’ courageous display propelled LSG into the playoffs.
Reflecting on his strategy, Stoinis credited insights gleaned from none other than MS Dhoni, the legendary former captain of CSK. In a revealing video shared by LSG on social media, Stoinis recounted Dhoni’s invaluable advice on tackling substantial run-chases. Drawing upon Dhoni’s wisdom, the Australian all-rounder executed a masterful innings at Chepauk, etching his name in IPL history with the highest individual score in a successful run-chase.
Surpassing the previous record set by Paul Valthaty in 2011, Stoinis crafted an unbeaten 124 runs off just 63 deliveries, comprising 13 boundaries and six maximums, boasting an impressive strike rate of 196.83.
Marcus Stoinis said: “MS Dhoni told this one thing to me. He said in big games, everyone thinks that I’ve got to do something extra. I’ve got to do something different. His mantra and how he speaks to himself is he stays there, he stands still and he says everyone else is going to change. I’m going to be the only one here that doesn’t change and that holds him ahead of everyone else.”
Marcus Stoinis played a stunning knock
“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.”
Following his stellar performance, Stoinis humbly acknowledged the contributions of his teammates, emphasizing a strategic approach to batting tailored to exploit specific bowlers while exercising caution against others. He recognized the pivotal role played by Nicholas Pooran in alleviating pressure during crucial phases of the innings.
Despite his personal achievement, Stoinis remained grounded, deferring to the prowess of other opening batters while underscoring the collective effort required for success in competitive tournaments like the IPL.
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