Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram struck form in style to guide (LSG) to a smooth and much-needed win!

Exactly — that middle-overs phase was where the whole match flipped on its head. GT had a decent platform but just couldn’t accelerate when it mattered, especially between overs 12-15. Losing wickets in clusters stalled all their momentum, and LSG’s bowlers, especially Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi, did a fine job tightening the screws on a pitch that was clearly starting to hold up a bit. In contrast, Pooran completely changed the mood the moment he walked in. The way he dismantled the spinners — especially his clean striking down the ground and over midwicket — took all the pressure off Markram and kept LSG comfortably ahead of the rate. Seven sixes in a single innings on a pitch where GT only managed three the entire game pretty much tells the story! Also, Markram’s knock, although overshadowed a little by Pooran’s power-hitting, was the perfect anchor role — rotating strike, punishing the odd bad ball, and not letting the run rate climb. This win really underlined how LSG’s middle order can flex its muscle, especially against spin-heavy attacks. Pooran’s in this kind of form could be a massive game-changer for the second half of their season. That was a beautifully clinical chase from LSG — and honestly, textbook T20 game management on a slightly two-paced pitch! GT had the early momentum with that century stand from Gill and Sudharsan, both playing with good intent, and for a while it felt like a 200+ total was on the cards. But that middle-over squeeze by LSG, especially the double-strike from Bishnoi (Sudharsan and Sundar in the same over!) and Avesh’s crucial dismissal of Gill, flipped the script. Once the top order was gone, GT’s innings lost steam fast, and they were probably 15-20 runs short of a par score given their start. Then came Markram and Pooran — both in supreme touch. Markram’s powerplay assault set the perfect tone, and even after Pant’s dismissal, Pooran's sheer brutality in the middle overs was the defining stretch of the match. That 24-run over off Sai Kishore completely shattered GT’s grip on the game. It’s also worth noting how well-balanced LSG’s chase was: Markram covered the early push, Pooran demolished the spinners, and the finish was practically a formality once the asking rate fell below 6 per over. In a nutshell: 💥 Turning Point — Pooran's 24-run assault off Sai Kishore in the 10th over. 🎯 Unsung Hero — Bishnoi’s spell (2 for 25) pulled GT’s innings back at the perfect time. 🧠 Tactical Win — LSG’s calculated attack in the middle overs versus GT’s failure to finish strongly despite a solid start.