After losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Monday, May 19, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were formally out of the IPL 2025 playoff competition. With ten balls remaining, SRH easily reached the objective while chasing 206.
Mitchell Marsh (65 off 39) and Aiden Markram (61 off 38) gave LSG the ideal start with a 115-run opening partnership in a game that was literally a do-or-die situation, but the middle order fell apart once more. Despite a rapid 45 off 26 from Nicholas Pooran, LSG was only able to register 205/7 as captain Rishabh Pant continued to struggle, falling for just seven.
Abhishek Sharma (59 off 20), who reached his half-century in just 18 deliveries, was the star of SRH’s chase. As the visitors controlled the chase, he had strong backing from Heinrich Klaasen (47), Kamindu Mendis (32*), and Ishan Kishan (35). Digvesh Rathi, who finished with 2/37, was LSG’s only bright spot with the ball. With this outcome, LSG’s campaign ended and SRH moved up to ninth place on the standings with nine points.
Talking Points
1. Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh dominate powerplay
Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram gave a perfect start to Lucknow Super Giants with a 115-run opening stand. Both batters looked in sublime form from the beginning of the innings. Marsh started aggressively, smashing Pat Cummins with a four and a six in the first over before hitting debutant Harsh Dubey down the ground. His 65 off 39 balls was laced with six fours and four sixes and took the pressure off Markram. On the other hand, the South African added 61 off 38 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes. Both batters reached their fifties in 28 balls and registered their highest powerplay score in Lucknow.
2. SRH bowlers pull things back
After being dismantled by LSG’s openers, the Hyderabad bowlers made a stunning comeback as they gave just 55 runs in the last five overs. Once looking set to breach the 250-run mark, LSG’s scoring rate was halted courtesy of Eshan Malinga, Harshal Patel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The trio shared four wickets between them and kept applying pressure on the opposition batters.
3. Hyderabad batters have the last laugh
After having a poor batting display the entire season, SRH batters looked in solid touch this game as they guided their side to a comfortable win. Abhishek Sharma (59), Ishan Kishan (35), Heinrich Klaasen (47), and Kamindu Mendis (32) all played a crucial role in the win. Despite LSG bowlers asking questions, the Hyderabad batters kept their composure and found the gaps regularly.
Who Said What?
Rishabh Pant, LSG (Losing Captain):
We knew we had gaps to fill because of injuries. As a team we had decided not to talk about it. But it became to close the gaps. The way we planned the auction, if we would have had the same bowling, the story would have been different. Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don’t. We take pride in the way we played and will look at the positives. We have a strong batting firepower.
Even for bowlers, there were times when they were bowling in good areas. We were trying to make the best of it. We knew we were ten runs short. We were good in patches but did not close out the game. [Rathi] The bowler Rathi has come up nicely. This is his first season. The way he bowled, it was good to see. Rathi is one of the positives.
Pat Cummins, SRH (Winning Captain):
Probably a few more than we would have liked. Walking out to chase 205, we were confident. Eshan Malinga has been good, worked with the coaches and a great executor. When we are at our best, it doesn’t look like they [Klaasen and Kamindu] took risks. Win gives a lot of confidence for next year
Abhishek Sharma, SRH (Player of the Match)
We [him and Rathi] spoke after the game, it is all good now. If we would have batted first, I would have other plans. When you are chasing over 200, I had to go hard. Atharva and me had a chat that we will see the first ball and then knock it around.
If you ask any international player, they would say if you are chasing, you should win the powerplay. I wanted to express myself, if I do well, team will do well. You have to take the responsibility as an international player. The plan was same as in the international side. If it is there on the first ball, I had to go for it
India
