In a thrilling encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 12, 2025, the Gujarat Titans (GT) faced off against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in an IPL 2025 match that saw GT off to a blistering start. As the Titans batted first, they reached an impressive 104 runs without losing a wicket in just 10.4 overs, showcasing their dominance early in the game.
The match began with LSG winning the toss and opting to bowl first. LSG captain Rishabh Pant explained the decision, stating, “We want to exploit the conditions under the sun, so we’ll bowl first. Bowlers have done a very good job.” Notably, Himmat Singh replaced the absent Mitchell Marsh, who was attending to his ill daughter.
Shubman Gill, leading the Titans, expressed a desire for a target, saying, “Would have liked to bowl first to have a target on the board and chase it down. Everyone has contributed for us. It’s all about one game after another.” The Titans entered the match sitting at the top of the points table, boasting four wins from their last five matches, while LSG was looking to improve their standing, currently placed sixth with six points.
From the outset, the Titans’ opening pair of Gill and Sai Sudharsan set the tone for the innings. In the first over, Sudharsan made his intentions clear by guiding the very first ball he faced from Shardul Thakur to the boundary. The duo continued to pile on the runs, with Sudharsan hitting a six over deep square leg and Gill showcasing his trademark shots, including a powerful loft over extra cover.
By the end of the PowerPlay, GT had amassed 54 runs without a loss, and the momentum only grew from there. Sudharsan’s aggressive batting style, complemented by Gill’s steady approach, frustrated the LSG bowlers. In the seventh over, Gill notched his half-century, his second of the season, by pushing a delivery from Digvesh Singh to long off for a single.
As the innings progressed, Sudharsan also found his rhythm, cutting and pulling the ball with precision. He managed to find boundaries with ease, including a delightful shot that slashed through point for four runs, and another that saw him top-edge a slog sweep over the wicketkeeper's head, landing safely in no man's land.
The Titans continued to dominate as they reached 66 runs in just seven overs. The LSG bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with Aiden Markram and Ravi Bishnoi unable to find the breakthrough. Despite a review for a caught behind appeal against Sudharsan that proved unsuccessful, GT remained unscathed as they capitalized on every opportunity.
By the time the 10th over concluded, GT had reached 104 runs, with both Gill and Sudharsan looking set for big scores. The Titans’ innings was characterized by aggressive running between the wickets, smart shot selection, and a clear understanding of the pitch conditions, which Shane Watson had earlier described as “a very good surface” for batting.
As the match continued, all eyes were on the face-off between LSG’s leading run-scorer Nicholas Pooran and GT’s pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj. The Titans were also dealing with the absence of Glenn Phillips, who was ruled out of IPL 2025 due to a groin injury sustained in a previous match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The head-to-head record favored GT, who had won four out of five encounters against LSG, with the last meeting resulting in a 33-run victory for LSG in April 2024. With this backdrop, the stakes were high, and both teams were eager to secure the two crucial points.
As the match unfolded, the excitement was palpable among the fans in attendance, with the Titans looking to extend their winning streak and LSG aiming to capitalize on their home ground advantage. With the first innings drawing to a close, the focus shifted to how LSG would respond to the formidable target set by GT.
With the Titans showing such strong form, it will be interesting to see how the Super Giants approach their innings. As the game progresses, fans will be eager to see if LSG can match the Titans' explosive start or if GT will continue their dominance in this season's IPL.
As the action unfolds, cricket enthusiasts can expect a high-scoring encounter, especially with the conditions favoring batting. With both teams featuring some of the league's top talents, the excitement is sure to build as the match reaches its climax.
