Marsh’s blazing ton, Pooran’s blitzkrieg propel LSG past 230 against Titans

Mitchell Marsh showcased his explosive batting prowess with a spectacular maiden IPL century, while Nicholas Pooran provided the perfect finishing touch with a blistering half-century, propelling Lucknow Super Giants to a formidable 235 for two against Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2025 encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.

Marsh was in imperious form, hammering 117 runs off just 64 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and eight towering sixes. His knock was a mix of brute force and impeccable timing, marking a milestone performance in his IPL career. Pooran, at the other end, remained unbeaten on 56 off just 27 balls, playing the ideal aggressor in the death overs. Together, the duo stitched a 121-run partnership for the second wicket, dismantling the Titans’ bowling attack with ease.

The Australian all-rounder took a particular liking to GT’s ace spinner Rashid Khan, plundering 25 runs off his over, the 12th of the innings. That over saw Marsh dispatch Khan for two sixes and three boundaries, helping him bring up his century in just 56 balls.

Earlier in the innings, Marsh laid a solid foundation with opener Aiden Markram. The pair added 91 runs for the first wicket in just under nine overs. Markram contributed a well-compiled 36, providing stability as Marsh launched his onslaught from the other end.

Pooran walked in after Markram`s dismissal and wasted no time settling in. He peppered the boundaries with ease, finding gaps and clearing the ropes to maintain the momentum set by Marsh. His innings ensured that LSG capitalized fully in the final overs, lifting their total well past the 230-run mark.

Despite their dominant batting display, the match held little consequence for Lucknow in the context of the tournament. Having already been eliminated from the playoff race, the Rishabh Pant-led side played for pride. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans had already secured their place in the playoffs and were looking to test their bench strength and momentum ahead of the knockout stage.

Among the Gujarat bowlers, Sai Kishore was the only one to taste success, finishing with figures of 1 for 34. The rest of the bowling attack struggled to contain Marsh and Pooran on what proved to be a batting-friendly surface.

Brief scores: Lucknow Super Giants – 235/2 in 20 overs (Mitchell Marsh 117, Nicholas Pooran 56*, Aiden Markram 36; Sai Kishore 1/34)

This article first appeared on Mid Day