Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) registered a commanding victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, securing their first win of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.
Led by Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 70 off 26 balls and Shardul Thakur’s four-wicket haul, LSG chased down the 191-run target in just 16.1 overs, dismantling the SRH attack with ruthless efficiency.
Former SRH player Pooran, promoted to No. 3 this season, showcased his formidable striking ability, tearing into the Hyderabad bowling unit.
Supported by Mitchell Marsh’s composed 52 off 31 deliveries, Pooran ensured LSG seized control of the match within the powerplay itself. The duo stitched together an 82-run stand between the third and seventh overs, reducing the chase to a mere formality.
Despite losing an early wicket, LSG surged ahead, scoring 77 runs in the first six overs.
Sunrisers’ attack, comprising Mohammed Shami, Simarjeet Singh, Adam Zampa, and Abhishek Sharma, proved ineffective against Pooran’s calculated assault.
LSG reached the 100-run mark in the eighth over, well ahead of SRH, who had managed the milestone only in the 11th over.
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Pat Cummins managed to provide a brief respite for Hyderabad, dismissing Pooran in the ninth over with a delivery that tailed in and trapped the left-hander leg-before wicket.
The Australian pacer also accounted for Marsh in his subsequent over, sparking a mini-collapse as Ayush Badoni and Rishabh Pant departed in quick succession.
However, LSG had already inflicted irreparable damage, with Abdul Samad’s quickfire 22 off 8 deliveries sealing the contest in emphatic fashion.
The pre-match discourse revolved around SRH’s explosive batting lineup and speculation over whether they could breach the 300-run mark in a T20 game.
However, Shardul Thakur quashed such expectations with a stellar bowling performance.
Overlooked in the 2024 mega-auction, Thakur, convinced by Zaheer Khan to join LSG, proved his mettle with a four-wicket haul. His incisive spell began with the dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan within the powerplay.
He later returned to remove Abhinav Manohar and Mohammed Shami, ensuring SRH were restricted to 190 despite a brief counterattack from Aniket Verma, who struck 36 off 18 balls.
Prince Yadav also impressed, scalping the crucial wicket of Travis Head with a searing delivery before running out Heinrich Klaasen, shifting the momentum firmly in LSG’s favour.
LSG’s decision to field first, despite SRH’s formidable batting display in their previous match, was met with scepticism. However, captain Rishabh Pant’s faith in his side’s chasing ability proved well-founded.
"Doesn't matter how many they score, we're gonna chase it down," Pant asserted at the toss.
LSG’s backroom staff, featuring Zaheer Khan, meticulously devised a strategy that exposed SRH’s vulnerabilities.
While some luck favoured them – Travis Head being dropped twice off Ravi Bishnoi before being bowled – their disciplined execution with both bat and ball highlighted their dominance.
With their batting depth comprising Pooran, Marsh, David Miller, and Abdul Samad, LSG appear poised to pursue aggressive chases throughout the tournament.
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