LSG vs MI, IPL 2023: Marcus Stoinis weaves magic at Ekana, scores 47-ball 89* in Lucknow

Marcus Stoinis has showcased his elite brilliance with a fantastic knock against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday (May 16).

Stoinis demonstrated an excellent batting show in the final overs of the LSG inning as they have managed to put a decent score on the board after Mumbai Indians sent them to bat first.

It was a difficult start for LSG as they lost Deepak Hooda (5 off 7 balls) and Prerak Mankad (0 off 1 ball) early. Quinton de Kock also got dismissed cheaply as Stoinis came to the crease with LSG reeling at 35/3 in the 7th over.

Stoinis took charge and built a decent partnership with captain Krunal Pandya, and then went berserk in the final few overs. The Australian took 36 balls to get to his half-century and then put the MI bowlers to the sword in the final couple of overs.

He took apart Chris Jordan in the 18th over, hitting 6,0,4,4,6,4 in the over. 24 runs were scored by the Aussie as a projected total of around 150 suddenly elevated significantly. Stoinis ended up scoring an unbeaten 89 off just 47 balls, and finished the inning with a six to take LSG to 177/3 at the end of 20 overs.

The 33-year-old hit four boundaries and cleared the rope 8 times in the inning. This was his 3rd fifty of the season as the Australian has already amassed 368 runs for LSG this season.

LSG vs MI: Will 177 be enough for LSG?

LSG have put on a fighting score but conditions can improve for MI to bat if dew arrives. MI have some top batters in their ranks. Ishan Kishan has done well in recent games, but the main man will be Suryakumar Yadav. SKY has taken his game to a different level in the last few weeks, and the India batter will be the pivotal factor in the outcome of this crucial tie.

The result of the match will be crucial for either team as a win will take them closer to playoffs, contrary to a defeat that can have season-ending ramifications.