In a thrilling encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured their first victory of the IPL 2025 season by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 5 wickets on Thursday, March 27, 2025. This match marked a significant turnaround for LSG after their opening game loss against the Delhi Capitals.
Lucknow's captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that raised eyebrows given the formidable batting lineup of SRH, which had previously scored 286 runs against the Rajasthan Royals. Pant's confidence in his team's bowling attack was evident as he stated, "We are going to chase whatever they score, it doesn't matter." This bold move paid off as LSG's bowlers managed to restrict SRH to a total of 190 runs.
Shardul Thakur was the standout performer with the ball for LSG, claiming 4 wickets for just 34 runs, including the crucial dismissals of both Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan in quick succession. Thakur’s performance not only helped LSG gain early momentum but also marked his 100th wicket in the IPL. The other bowlers also contributed effectively, with Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, and Digvesh Singh each taking a wicket.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, batting first, struggled to build a significant partnership after losing their first wicket at just 15 runs. Travis Head top-scored for SRH with 47 runs off 28 balls, while Aniket Verma added a quick 36 runs, hitting 5 sixes in his brief innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen chipped in with 32 and 26 runs, respectively, but the innings faltered as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Despite the efforts of their batsmen, SRH could only muster 190 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The LSG bowlers were disciplined, and their strategy of bowling first proved effective on a pitch that was conducive to batting.
Chasing a target of 191 runs, LSG got off to a rocky start, losing Aiden Markram for just 1 run early in the innings. However, Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh steadied the ship. Pooran was in sensational form, scoring a blistering 70 runs off just 26 balls, including 6 sixes and 6 fours. His explosive innings was a key factor in LSG's successful chase.
Marsh also played a crucial role, scoring 52 runs off 31 balls before being dismissed by Pat Cummins. Their partnership was instrumental in guiding LSG past the finish line, as they built a solid foundation amidst the falling wickets.
As the innings progressed, LSG continued to score at a rapid pace, reaching the 100-run mark in just 8 overs. Pooran's aggressive batting set the tone, and even when wickets fell at the other end, he maintained the pressure on the bowlers.
In the 17th over, David Miller sealed the victory for LSG with a boundary against Ishan Kishan, finishing the match at 193 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in just 16.1 overs. LSG's victory was celebrated enthusiastically, with owner Sanjiv Goenka visibly thrilled as he hugged Pant in celebration of the hard-fought win.
Pant's leadership was commendable, as he not only guided his bowlers effectively but also managed to keep his composure behind the stumps, despite his modest contribution of 15 runs with the bat.
This match was a testament to LSG's resilience and ability to bounce back after a disappointing start to the season. The victory not only boosts their confidence but also sets a positive tone for the upcoming matches. With the bowling attack performing well and the batting lineup showing depth, LSG looks to build on this momentum as they continue their campaign in IPL 2025.
As for SRH, they will need to regroup and rethink their strategies ahead of their next fixture, as they currently sit with one win and one loss in the tournament. The team, led by Pat Cummins, will be looking to bounce back quickly and capitalize on their home advantage in future games.
