PBKS vs LSG: Ayush Badoni's quick-fire 43 provides LSG with proper stability against PBKS

Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squared off in the Match No. 38 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Hosts' skipper Shikhar Dhawan decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Punjab found an early breakthrough as Kagiso Rabada came for the attack and dismissed the LSG skipper for just 12 runs.

Kyle Mayers (54 off 24 balls) continued his power-hitting as he produced a solid start for the visiting side and LSG were 74/2 after the powerplay. Meanwhile, Mayers managed to score a quick half-century in just 20 balls in the sixth over. However, Rabada struck again and ended the LSG opener's stay in the same over.

Meanwhile, Ayush Badoni came in and made a quick impact in LSG's innings. He stitched up a 50-run partnership with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis from just 26 balls as LSG have crossed 150 in just 12.2 overs. However, the England all-rounder Liam Livingstone dismissed Badoni on the latter's score of 43 off 24 balls. His knock was studded with three boundaries and as many maximums. 

In the 14th over, Livingstone came into the attack and he saw Badoni play a reverse sweep shot and pulled out the delivery in the second ball. In the next over, he bowled around the leg stump but the LSG batter smashed a six over the deep backward square leg. On the 3rd delivery of the over, Livingstone made Badoni reach out for the delivery but this time fielder Rahul Chahar at deep backward square leg took the catch to end the batter's stay.

PBKS are currently standing sixth in the IPL 2023 points table, having won four out of their seven matches that they have played so far. They came off a 13-run win over the five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 22. Meanwhile, LSG are placed fourth in the points table with eight points. They came off after a terrible loss against defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) in their previous encounter.