LSG vs CSK, 45th Match at Lucknow, IPL, May 03 2023 - Match Result

Rain wins in the end, but not before we had Ayush Badoni playing a stellar knock. The CSK spinners were all over the batters, reducing them to 44 for 5, but the 23-year-old smacked an unbeaten 33-ball 59 before the clouds opened up. Moeen Ali and Maheesh Theekshana, both picked up two wickets, while Deepak Chahar, on return was expensive. Here's a look at the points table after a no-result in Lucknow. That might be end of the match, here, but the Punjab-Mumbai game is about to begin. Mumbai have won the toss and elected to field. Till then, this is me Ashish, signing off on behalf off Sreshth. Ciao!

LordNRS: "It does feel like CSK dodged a bullet here, especially considering how momentum was firmly with LSG the way Badoni was tonking them all over towards the close of play."

Praveen: "Feel for Badoni, a potentially match winning knock. Hard luck Badoni!"

6.56pm Lots of handshakes going around. An call-off seems imminent. Dhoni waves at the crowd, who go bonkers seeing him. The rain gods have their final say. The match has officially been called off. Both teams get one point each.

6.50pm The official cut-off time for a five-over chase is 7.28pm. As things stand, a resumption does not look promising. It's raining quite steadily in Lucknow. The two umpires are now walking out, with their umbrellas. Lots of conversations happening.

Shubham: "@KS - I was surprised by his pace this season. He is touching 150 without considerable stress. If I remember correctly, he was bowling in late 130s when he was noticed first. Its amazing. I hope SLC preserves him."

KS: "Even as an avid SL fan, I was surprised to see the selection (and success!) of Pathirana for CSK this season. How excited should I be about him for the white ball national teams?" Oh, he's been a revelation. The way he has shouldered responsibility has been great.

"It's actually raining quite heavily and steadily just a few kilometres away from the stadium here in Lucknow. I don't wish to say this but I think we are done with the match. With thunderstorms expected later in the evening, chances of resumptions are less," Ramesh Kumar with all the optimism.

6.45pm This is not the only cricket we have in store today. It is a double-header day, so we have Punjab Kings taking on Mumbai Indians in Mohali. Mumbai aim to join the ten-point traffic jam, while a win could help Punjab catapult to second place on the points table from six. Himanshu has kicked off the ball-by-ball comms for the game, with the weather much clearer in Mohali.

Aseem: "At the start, a Lucknow based MSD fan had asked for 1 point to each team result. Mate, you should buy a lotto ticket today!"

6.35pm Not encouraging news, sadly. Daya Sagar, who is at the venue, informs that the rain has picked up and is showing no signs of slowing down. The crowd is as excited as ever. We are in the losing overs territory as things stand.

6.25pm And, for all of you asking for the DLS numbers. Sampath has those sorted for you. If LSG don't bat again, CSK's target will be:

42 for a 5 over game

76 for 10 overs

106 for 15 overs

122 for 18 overs

127 for 19 overs

6.20pm The rain seems to have picked up. More than just a bit of a drizzle. The ground staff also have disappeared. We are in for a long wait, as things stand. The source was right.

XaX: "If Amit Mishra comes in as impact player, then lsg will have 4 dangerous spinners. Not going to be easy for csk" He can't. Not named as one of the substitutes.

Satish: "I think 127 in 19 overs would be a fair target here. First time I am in agreement with DLS"

Rajesh informs that CSK's target will be 127 in 19 overs if LSG don't bat again.

6.01pm Spoke too soon. The covers are being brought out again. Seems like it has started raining once more. Jonty Rhodes, the LSG fielding coach, is helping the ground staff in pulling the covers. Drizzling steadily. The umpires, though, are standing around without an umbrella.

Parth Verma : "Some LSG players are doing catch practice near their dug out. "

5.57pm Good news, the covers are being removed as I type this. The umpires are out in the middle for an inspection. Super sopper is hard at work. There are few puddles just outside the 30-yeard circle, which is being looked after.

5.46pm A reliable source has told me, "not starting anytime soon bro." Remember, the game started 15 mins late due to afternoon rain, add this lost time, and we may have a shortened chase.

5.37pm Rain has become heavier. I'll be surprised if this innings is completed. We might jump directly into the chase, but for that, we need dry weather. LSG have not named Amit Mishra in the XVI tonight.... will they regret that? Jadeja and Moeen got a lot of turn.

Avinash: "What happened to Deshpande, didn't bowl after 1 over? " -- There is a famous MD Dhoni quote. Dropping it here: "I have many bikes and cars but I don't use them all at the same time"

Viraj: "@Prakhar - and not bowling Tushar at the death! Chahar is dreadful at the death"

Vivek Shukla: "@Prakhar you might be right but in last game when Jadeja bowled in death it did not go very well for CSK."

5.20pm Drizzle, covers are on, the players are off. Badoni gets some plaudits from the LSG staff. Pitches and bowling run up covered only, Can see Gambhir talking to the umpire. And Badoni gets a hug from Krunal on the sidelines.

Jack: "Gowtham just had to take a single first ball, instead he wanted to be hero and now he has ended up wasting atleast 3 balls. Really poor cricket.."

Prakhar: "Too afraid to call out Dhoni ?Not bowling Jadeja's full quota on that wicket is a crime"

Afeef: "Badoni decided he will not run down the pitch. He will stand and deliver."

Gowtham on strike. LSG need Badoni on strike.

K Gowtham. #LongHandle. And also Ambati Rayudu has been announced as an Impact Player for M Theekshana.

A total of 36 runs in the last three overs. Thirty six more gets them up to 134.

Manthan Jain : "Everyone looking for a pooran miracle but this young kid is playing a blinder so far not jinxing....."

Pooran's contribution only 14 in this 51-run stand.