LSG Redeem Themselves in Hyderabad with Commanding Win Over SRH

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured a much-needed win against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025, exorcising the ghosts of their crushing defeat at the same venue last season. Under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy, LSG turned the tables by restricting SRH to 190/9 and chasing it down comfortably with nearly four overs to spare.

Unlike last year’s encounter where SRH breezed through a 166-run chase in just 10 overs, this time, LSG brought strategy, variation, and composure. Pant's bold call to bowl first, even against a side that recently scored 286, paid off in full.

Shardul Thakur: From Unsold to Purple Cap

Shardul Thakur, who went unsold at the IPL auction, is now the Purple Cap holder. His remarkable comeback was sparked by a call from Zaheer Khan, and it led him to skip a county stint in the UK. At one of the most batter-friendly grounds, Shardul delivered a spell of 4 for 34, taming SRH’s explosive lineup.

The key to LSG’s bowling success was variation in length. Unlike RR, who bowled predominantly short, LSG mixed up their deliveries and forced SRH’s power hitters into making errors.

Nicholas Pooran's Masterclass

Nicholas Pooran delivered a scintillating knock of 70 off just 26 balls, showcasing clean hitting and remarkable timing.

"I don’t plan to hit sixes. I just get in good positions and time the ball nicely," said Pooran. "In the last nine years, I’ve worked on my craft, not on bat speed—I’m just blessed with talent!"

His innings ensured LSG comfortably chased the target, with class and composure.

Quote of the Day

"Whatever they make, we will chase it down."
— Rishabh Pant after opting to bowl first against SRH

And chase it down, they did—with flair and efficiency.

Looking Ahead: CSK vs RCB – A Rivalry of Emotions

Despite the stats being heavily in CSK’s favor (21-11 H2H record) and RCB not winning in Chennai since 2008, this rivalry has grown beyond the numbers. It has become a part of pop culture, social media debates, and fan showdowns.

The turning point came last year on May 18, when RCB eliminated CSK in a virtual knockout game at the Chinnaswamy. That game gave the rivalry a new edge.

RCB’s Chennai Challenge: Is 2025 the Year?

With Matheesha Pathirana unlikely to start and Bhuvneshwar Kumar uncertain, RCB have a window to finally end their Chennai drought. Rajat Patidar, RCB's spin expert, could play a key role against Ravichandran Ashwin, if included.

After 17 long years, RCB hopes to script a new chapter — and it starts with that elusive win at Chepauk.

Read More: Hardik Pandya's Eventful Return in IPL 2025: On-Field Tensions and Reconciliation