Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have finally registered their first victory in IPL 2025. The team defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 5 wickets at their home ground, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. LSG delivered an outstanding performance, chasing down the 190-run target with 23 balls to spare. The key architects of this emphatic win were Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, and Shardul Thakur.
Shardul Thakur’s Lethal Bowling Wrecks SRH
Winning the toss, Lucknow Super Giants opted to bowl first, a decision that proved to be spot on. Shardul Thakur’s fiery spell dismantled Hyderabad’s batting lineup as he scalped four crucial wickets. Despite SRH managing to put up 190 runs in 20 overs, their total was not enough to defend against LSG’s power-packed batting display.
Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh’s Power-Hitting
LSG’s chase started on a solid note, but the real fireworks came from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh. Pooran smashed a blistering 70 off just 26 balls, including six fours and six sixes. On the other hand, Mitchell Marsh continued his fine form, hammering 52 runs off 31 balls, notching up his second consecutive half-century in IPL 2025. Their aggressive batting ensured Lucknow’s easy win.
Abdul Samad’s Crucial Cameo
While Rishabh Pant struggled once again, scoring just 15 runs off 15 balls, Abdul Samad played a crucial role in sealing the victory for LSG. His quickfire cameo of 22 runs from just 8 balls, which included two fours and two sixes, ensured there were no late hiccups in the chase.
Thakur Proves His Worth
Interestingly, Shardul Thakur remained unsold in the mega auction, but LSG picked him as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan. Thakur justified his selection by delivering a match-winning performance with four wickets, proving to be a game-changer for his team.
This defeat exposed SRH’s over-reliance on their top-order batters. They now need to rethink their strategy moving forward. Meanwhile, LSG’s dominant win will boost their confidence and strengthen their campaign in IPL 2025