By exploreodisha.in 
In a thrilling encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on March 27, 2025, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured their first victory of the IPL 2025 season by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets. The match was marked by standout performances, particularly from Nicholas Pooran and Shardul Thakur.
First Innings: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Batting Performance
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, SRH faced early setbacks. In the third over, Shardul Thakur struck twice, dismissing Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan off consecutive deliveries, leaving SRH reeling. Despite this, Travis Head anchored the innings with a brisk 47 off 28 balls, featuring five fours and three sixes. Middle-order contributions came from Nitish Kumar Reddy (32 off 28) and Heinrich Klaasen (26 off 17). A late onslaught by Aniket Verma, who smashed 36 runs off just 13 balls with five towering sixes, propelled SRH to a competitive total of 190 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Bowling Highlights for LSG
Shardul Thakur was the standout bowler for Lucknow, delivering his career-best IPL figures of 4 for 34. His disciplined bowling in the powerplay and death overs was instrumental in restricting SRH’s scoring. Support came from Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Digvesh Singh, and Avesh Khan, each chipping in with a wicket to curtail the opposition’s momentum.
Second Innings: Lucknow Super Giants’ Chase
Chasing 191, LSG’s innings was ignited by Mitchell Marsh, who continued his fine form with a 31-ball 52, laced with seven boundaries and two sixes. However, it was Nicholas Pooran’s explosive batting that turned the game decisively in Lucknow’s favor. Promoted to the number three spot, Pooran unleashed a ferocious assault, scoring 70 runs off just 26 deliveries, including six fours and six sixes. His 18-ball half-century was the fastest in IPL 2025 at that point.
Despite a minor hiccup with the dismissal of captain Rishabh Pant for 15, Abdul Samad provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 22 off 8 balls, ensuring LSG reached the target in just 16.1 overs.
Key Performances and Records
- Nicholas Pooran: His blistering 70 earned him accolades and highlighted his prowess in the top order.
- Shardul Thakur: Achieved his best IPL bowling figures of 4 for 34, playing a pivotal role in LSG’s bowling attack.
- Mitchell Marsh: Registered his second consecutive fifty, underscoring his consistency and value to the team.
This comprehensive performance by LSG not only secured them a vital win but also showcased their depth in both batting and bowling departments, setting a positive tone for their IPL 2025 campaign.