“IPL is a bit like a World Cup”: LSG head coach Justin Langer

Following their four-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow Super Giants’ head coach Justin Langer compared the intensity of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to that of a World Cup. This win, propelled by Marcus Stoinis’s dynamic 62-run innings, marked LSG’s sixth of the season and elevated them to third place in the standings with 12 points, intensifying the playoff race.

Reflecting on the league’s competitiveness, Langer shared his thoughts post-match: “I have been blown away by how brilliant this IPL tournament is. It’s a bit like a World Cup. There’s no easy games, every point is crucial. We see how tight it is on the table. For us to take those points tonight, really valuable. Most importantly, after our disappointing last loss, I loved how we fought back and that’s a sign of a really good team.”

Despite facing challenges such as an early dismissal and a middle-order collapse while chasing 145, Stoinis, recently promoted to No. 3, played a pivotal role in steering LSG clear of defeat. Langer praised his performance, emphasizing his impact: “He’s been a real match-winner. Took a good catch early as well. He’s just showing us that presence at the top of the order which we probably demanded after the first 4 or 5 games. He’s showing that real presence, he’s playing well, he’s being a match-winner. In T20 cricket, in IPL cricket, in big tournaments, match-winners are crucial if you are going to keep progressing. It’s such a tight tournament,” Langer added.