In a thrilling encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Marcus Stoinis of the Lucknow Super Giants played a pivotal role in his team’s six-wicket win over the Chennai Super Kings in match No.39 of the IPL 2024. Stoinis not only smashed his maiden Indian Premier League century but also finished the game in style, drawing comparisons to MS Dhoni’s signature finishing style.
Stoinis’ Heroics Against CSK
Chasing a target of 210 at Chepauk, the Lucknow Super Giants faced an uphill battle when they were reduced to 88-3 in 10.6 overs. However, Stoinis turned the tide of the match with his counterattacking innings. He scored an unbeaten 124 off 63 balls, boasting a strike rate of over 196 and hitting six sixes and 13 fours. Stoinis’ innings became the highest individual score against CSK in the IPL.
After the match, Stoinis revealed the advice he received from former CSK captain MS Dhoni on how to approach big games. Dhoni emphasised the importance of staying composed in high-pressure situations and letting others around him change instead.
“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,” Stoinis shared.
Stoinis’ incredible century was his first in the IPL and came at a crucial moment for his team. He registered the highest individual score against CSK in the IPL, helping his team win. After the match, Stoinis reflected on his performance, highlighting the importance of strategic planning and taking advantage of different bowlers.
“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,” Stoinis remarked.
Stoinis’ record-breaking innings against CSK at Chepauk will be remembered as one of the standout performances of IPL 2024. His ability to finish the game in style while remaining composed under pressure was a testament to the influence of MS Dhoni’s advice on his approach to the game. Stoinis’ heroics will undoubtedly inspire the team as Lucknow Super Giants continue their campaign.
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