IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Match 61 - Who Said What?

Published - 19 May 2025, 23:57 IST | Updated - 20 May 2025, 00:03 IST

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have officially been eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoff race after suffering a six-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Monday, May 19. Chasing 206, SRH reach the target with ease as they went home with 10 balls to spare.

In a do-or-die clash for LSG, their openers Mitchell Marsh (65 off 39) and Aiden Markram (61 off 38) gave them the perfect start with a 115-run opening stand, but the middle order collapsed once again. Captain Rishabh Pant’s struggles continued as he fell for just seven, and despite a quickfire 45 off 26 from Nicholas Pooran, LSG could only post 205/7.

SRH's chase was headlined by Abhishek Sharma (59 off 20), who brought up his half-century in just 18 deliveries. He was well supported by Ishan Kishan (35), Heinrich Klaasen (47), and Kamindu Mendis (32*) as the visitors dominated the chase. Digvesh Rathi was the lone bright spot with the ball for LSG, finishing with 2/37. With this result, SRH climbed to the eigthth spot on the table with nine points, while LSG’s campaign came to an end.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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