IPL 2025: Shardul, Pooran star in LSG win.
Nicholas Pooran played a match-winning knock, sharing a quick-fire 116-run partnership with Mitchell Marsh (52 off 31) for the second wicket, as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured a dominant five-wicket.
Chasing a competitive target, LSG lost an early wicket but quickly recovered as Pooran and Marsh counterattacked with aggressive stroke play. Pooran’s explosive hitting and Marsh’s well-paced innings ensured LSG remained ahead in the chase. Their 116-run stand came at a rapid pace, dismantling SRH’s bowling attack and putting LSG in a commanding position.
Marsh’s dismissal did little to slow the momentum, as Pooran continued his onslaught, guiding the team closer to victory. LSG successfully chased down the target in just 16.1 overs, showcasing their batting depth and power-hitting ability.
With this emphatic win, LSG strengthened their position in the tournament, while SRH was left searching for answers after a lackluster bowling performance. Pooran’s innings stood out as a match-winning effort, reaffirming his role as a key player for LSG in IPL 2025.
Shardul, Pooran Shine as LSG Crush SRH by Five Wickets in IPL 2025
Hyderabad: Shardul Thakur’s brilliant four-wicket haul and an explosive knock from Nicholas Pooran powered Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to a commanding five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an IPL.
Shardul, continuing his dream comeback, delivered a match-winning spell of 4/34 to restrict SRH’s formidable batting lineup to 190 for nine. Pooran then unleashed a sensational display of power-hitting, smashing 70 off just 26 balls, including six fours and six massive sixes, to ensure LSG chased down the target with ease in just 16.1 overs.
Shardul Thakur’s Dream Spell Restricts SRH
Opting to bowl first, LSG got off to a perfect start, thanks to an inspired performance from Shardul Thakur. The pacer struck in his very first over, dismissing the dangerous Abhishek Sharma with a sharp short delivery. On the very next ball, he sent Ishan Kishan back to the pavilion, getting him caught behind off a wayward delivery down the leg side.
SRH’s innings found some stability through Travis Head, who played a blistering knock of 47 off 28 balls. The Australian opener took the attack to LSG’s bowlers, especially targeting Avesh Khan in the fourth over, smashing him for two sixes and a four to pick up 18 runs.
However, Head rode his luck, surviving two dropped chances in quick succession. First, he mistimed a big shot off Ravi Bishnoi’s bowling, but Nicholas Pooran failed to hold onto a straightforward catch at long-on. A few deliveries later, Bishnoi missed a difficult return catch, allowing Head another lifeline.
But his luck ran out soon after, as young pacer Prince Yadav cleaned him up with a beautiful delivery, marking his first IPL wicket.
SRH’s Middle Order Struggles to Capitalize
Following Head’s dismissal, Heinrich Klaasen looked set to take over, scoring a quick 26 off 17 balls. However, in an unusual turn of events, he was run out by Prince Yadav off his own bowling. Klaasen had driven the ball straight back, but it ricocheted off Yadav’s follow-through and crashed into the stumps, catching the South African short of his crease.
Young Aniket Verma then played a scintillating cameo, smashing 36 off just 13 balls with five towering sixes. His fireworks lifted SRH’s total past 180, but he fell to leg-spinner Disvesh Rathi, caught by David Miller.
SRH skipper Pat Cummins provided the final flourish, blasting three consecutive sixes before being dismissed for 18 off four balls.
Despite these late heroics, SRH could only manage 190 for nine, a total that seemed below par given the batting-friendly conditions.
Pooran, Marsh Lead LSG’s Ruthless Chase
LSG’s chase began on a shaky note as Aiden Markram fell cheaply, but Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh quickly took control. The duo put on a match-winning 116-run stand for the second wicket, dismantling SRH’s bowling attack with ease.
Pooran, in particular, was in destructive form. He displayed his 360-degree range, smashing Simarjeet and Abhishek Sharma for massive sixes, especially targeting the square boundaries. Even the experienced Pat Cummins wasn’t spared, as Pooran struck him for two consecutive boundaries in his first over.
By the end of the powerplay, LSG had rocketed to 77 for one, thanks to Pooran’s relentless assault. He reached his half-century in just 18 balls, marking the fastest fifty of the IPL 2025 season, with a colossal six over square leg off Adam Zampa.
Cummins Ends Pooran’s Carnage, but LSG Stay on Course
Pooran’s breathtaking innings finally came to an end in the ninth over when Cummins trapped him LBW with a perfectly executed delivery. However, by then, the damage had already been done, and LSG were well ahead of the required run rate.
With Pooran back in the dugout, Marsh took over the mantle and continued the aggressive approach. The Australian all-rounder reached his half-century in just 29 balls, ensuring LSG remained in complete control.
LSG skipper Rishabh Pant, however, couldn’t contribute much, managing only 15 off 15 balls before falling to Zampa. But Abdul Samad stepped in and played a brisk cameo, finishing the chase in style.
LSG Cruise to Victory in 16.1 Overs
Despite a few hiccups in the latter half of the innings, LSG comfortably chased down the target in just 16.1 overs, winning the match by five wickets. The dominant performance reaffirmed their status as one of the most formidable teams in IPL 2025.
What This Win Means for LSG and SRH
This victory gave LSG a crucial boost in the IPL standings, strengthening their position as playoff contenders. Pooran’s innings was a testament to his explosive ability, while Shardul’s spell proved invaluable in containing SRH’s power-hitters.
For SRH, the defeat exposed some weaknesses in their bowling attack. Despite setting a decent total, they struggled to contain LSG’s aggressive batters, with key bowlers failing to make an impact. Their fielding lapses, including the dropped catches off Travis Head, also hurt their chances of putting up a stronger total.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Shardul Thakur’s fiery spell: The pacer picked up 4/34, dismantling SRH’s top order early on.
- Nicholas Pooran’s explosive knock: His 70 off 26 balls, including an 18-ball fifty, set up LSG’s chase.
- Mitchell Marsh’s composure: His 52 off 31 balls ensured LSG didn’t lose momentum even after Pooran’s dismissal.
- Prince Yadav’s all-round impact: The youngster claimed his first IPL wicket and contributed to Klaasen’s bizarre run-out.
As IPL 2025 progresses, LSG will look to carry forward this momentum, while SRH will need to regroup and fix their bowling woes ahead of their next fixture.