IPL 2024: Marcus Stoinis Reflects on T20 Cricket Evolution, Emphasizes Strategy Over Aggression

Marcus Stoinis hit an unbeaten 124 as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) chase down a target of 211 with six wickets and three balls remaining against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. on Tuesday. It was Stoinis’ first IPL century and his second in T20 cricket, with CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaekwad scoring an unbeaten 108. Stoinis, who was adjudged player of the match, said he did not want to start hitting from the word go but added that the shortest format of the game was changing.

“In these competitions, there are many better opening batsmen than me so I will leave it to them. It’s not just go go go, there were some bowlers we wanted to target and some bowlers we wanted to be more cautious against. There was a stage where I couldn’t hit boundaries so it was great (Nicholas) Pooran came in and took the pressure off,” A lot of ebbs and flows, just trying to keep it under control. You are planning and structuring, you don’t like certain bowlers and you like others more. I think T20 cricket is changing, the scores that are scored, the role of the players and how the teams are taking the bowlers,” he added.

Australia’s ‘New Long Ago’ About Contract X
Stoinis also said he was aware of his omission from the Cricket Australia contract list in advance, but would be keen to play the T20 World Cup in June. The all-rounder, along with Ashton Agar, was left out of the new list of contracts for 2024-25 after the country’s cricket board last month awarded deals to 23 players. “I have a good relationship with the coach, I am not getting a contract, I knew that long ago,” Stoinis said after his unbeaten 124 for Lucknow Super Giants against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

“It’s great for the kids to come in and have a chance, I’m happy to let them take my place.”

Up-and-coming fast bowler Xavier Bartlett was given his first contract for Australia in February after playing just one T20 international and two ODIs. However, Stoinis is hopeful of going to the West Indies and the United States for the T20 showpiece event starting June 1. “But on the playing front, I want to play and contribute,” Stoinis said.