TATA IPL 2025 season has already set the stage ablaze with its explosive brand of cricket, and Match 7 between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on March 27, 2025, was no exception. Played at the iconic Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, this encounter promised fireworks, given SRH’s reputation for posting mammoth totals and LSG’s hunger to bounce back after a narrow loss in their opening game. What unfolded was a rollercoaster of emotions, skillful displays, and a clinical chase that saw LSG emerge victorious by 5 wickets with 23 balls to spare. Let’s dive into the highlights of this electrifying contest.
The Build-Up: SRH’s Firepower vs. LSG’s Resilience
Coming into the game, SRH were riding high on confidence after a commanding 44-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in their season opener. That match saw them post a staggering 286/6 – the second-highest total in IPL history – powered by Ishan Kishan’s blistering unbeaten 106 off 47 balls and Travis Head’s dynamic 67 off 37. The Hyderabad faithful expected another batting onslaught, especially at a venue known for its batting-friendly conditions, where SRH had previously come close to breaching the elusive 300-run mark.
LSG, on the other hand, were looking to shake off the disappointment of a one-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals in Match 4. Despite posting a formidable 209/8, thanks to Nicholas Pooran’s 75 off 30 and Mitchell Marsh’s 72 off 36, they couldn’t defend the total as DC’s Ashutosh Sharma orchestrated a miraculous chase. With a point to prove, LSG arrived in Hyderabad determined to upset the hosts and kickstart their campaign.
The toss added an intriguing layer to the contest. LSG skipper Rishabh Pant won the coin flip and elected to bowl first, a decision influenced by the chasing trend at the venue, where teams batting second had won 55.13% of IPL matches. SRH, led by Pat Cummins, stuck with an unchanged XI, while LSG brought in Avesh Khan for Shahbaz Ahmed, hoping to bolster their bowling attack.
SRH’s Innings: A Shaky Start and a Late Flourish
SRH’s batting innings began with their usual aggression, but LSG’s bowlers had other plans. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, fresh off his century in the previous game, walked out to a roaring crowd. However, Shardul Thakur, LSG’s seasoned campaigner, struck early to silence the Orange Army. In the third over, Thakur dismissed Abhishek for 6, caught at short extra cover, and followed it up with a golden duck for Kishan, who edged a full toss to the keeper. From 18/0, SRH slumped to 18/2, and the stadium fell into a stunned hush.
Travis Head, SRH’s talismanic opener, took it upon himself to steady the ship. Known for his fearless strokeplay, Head counterattacked with a flurry of boundaries, including a slashed six off Digvesh Rathi that sailed over third man. Alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, he stitched together a 58-run partnership for the third wicket, taking SRH to 76/2 by the eighth over. Just as Head looked set to unleash his full repertoire, Prince Yadav, making his mark in the IPL, bowled a peach of a delivery – full, fast, and straight – to castle Head for 47 off 28 balls. The middle stump went cartwheeling, and LSG had their breakthrough.
Nitish Reddy (32 off 22) and Heinrich Klaasen (12 off 9) tried to keep the momentum going, but LSG’s bowlers tightened the screws. Ravi Bishnoi’s guile saw him trap Klaasen lbw, while Reddy fell to a well-disguised slower ball from Avesh Khan. At 122/5 after 13 overs, SRH were in danger of posting a below-par total – a rarity for them at this venue.
Enter Aniket Verma, SRH’s new power-hitting sensation. The 23-year-old, who had caught the eye in domestic circuits, unleashed a barrage of strokes in the death overs. His 36 off 13 balls, including three sixes and two fours, injected life into the innings. One standout shot was a lofted cover drive off Avesh Khan that cleared the rope with ease. Skipper Pat Cummins joined the party with a cameo of 18 off just 4 balls, smashing two sixes in the final over bowled by Avesh. Despite the late flourish, SRH finished at 190/9, with Shardul Thakur’s 4/34 – his best IPL figures – ensuring LSG kept the total in check. Prince Yadav (1/28), Ravi Bishnoi (1/25), Digvesh Rathi (1/40), and Avesh Khan (1/42) chipped in with crucial wickets.
While 190 was a competitive score, it felt underwhelming given SRH’s reputation and the venue’s history of high-scoring games. The stage was set for LSG to chase it down, but they would need to navigate SRH’s potent bowling attack led by Cummins and Mohammed Shami.
LSG’s Chase: Pooran and Marsh Steal the Show
LSG’s chase began with Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh opening the innings, but SRH struck early. Mohammed Shami, steaming in with pace and precision, had Markram caught at slip for 5 in the second over. At 11/1, the pressure was on, but what followed was a masterclass in T20 batting from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh.
Pooran, promoted up the order, wasted no time. He greeted Harshal Patel with a six over midwicket and followed it with a four through cover, setting the tone for the chase. Marsh, equally aggressive, took on Simarjeet Singh, lofting him for a six over long-on. The duo’s onslaught saw LSG race to 77/1 after 6 overs, with Pooran unbeaten on 40 and Marsh on 31. SRH’s bowlers, usually so effective, looked shell-shocked as boundaries and sixes flowed freely.
Raining sixes in Hyderabad… but by #LSG 🌧
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 27, 2025
Nicholas Pooran show guides LSG to 77/1 after 6 overs 👊
Updates ▶ https://t.co/X6vyVEvxwz#TATAIPL | #SRHvLSG | @LucknowIPL pic.twitter.com/K2Dlk5AXQw
Pooran’s strokeplay was a sight to behold. His 70 off 26 balls included six fours and six sixes, with one monstrous hit off Adam Zampa clearing the stands at deep midwicket. Marsh complemented him perfectly, scoring 52 off 31 with seven fours and two sixes, his cover drives a highlight of the innings. Their 102-run partnership for the second wicket in just 52 balls tilted the game firmly in LSG’s favor.
Pat Cummins, SRH’s captain, brought himself back into the attack and provided a glimmer of hope. In the 11th over, he dismissed Pooran, trapping him lbw with a full delivery that crashed into the pads. Ultra Edge confirmed no bat, and ball tracking showed three reds – Pooran’s blitz ended at 70. Two overs later, Cummins struck again, removing Marsh for 52 as he miscued a lofted shot to long-on, where Nitish Reddy took a simple catch. At 149/3 after 13 overs, LSG needed 42 off 42 balls, but the momentum had shifted slightly.
Ayush Badoni (12 off 10) and Rishabh Pant (4 off 5) couldn’t replicate the fireworks, falling to Zampa and Harshal Patel respectively. Badoni’s slog sweep off Zampa found Harshal in the deep, while Pant edged a full toss to Shami at short third man in a controversial dismissal initially called a no-ball but overturned on review. With 15 runs needed off 30 balls, the game was still LSG’s to lose.
Abdul Samad, facing his former team, and David Miller ensured there were no further hiccups. Samad’s unbeaten 22 off 8 balls, including a six and a four off Harshal Patel, was a dagger to SRH’s hopes. Miller sealed the deal with a lofted cover drive off Ishan Kishan for four, finishing on 13 not out. LSG chased down 191 in 16.1 overs, winning by 5 wickets with 23 balls remaining – a statement victory that boosted their net run rate and confidence.
Key Performers and Turning Points
Shardul Thakur was the standout performer for LSG, earning the Player of the Match award for his 4/34. His early strikes rocked SRH, and his composure in the death overs kept the total within reach. Nicholas Pooran’s 70 off 26 was the chase’s defining knock, his ability to dominate SRH’s bowlers showcasing why he’s one of the IPL’s most feared finishers. Mitchell Marsh’s 52 provided the perfect foil, while Aniket Verma’s 36 off 13 kept SRH in the game.
The turning points were aplenty. Thakur’s double strike in the third over set the tone for LSG’s bowling effort, while Prince Yadav’s dismissal of Travis Head halted SRH’s momentum. In the chase, Pooran and Marsh’s partnership turned the tide, and Cummins’ late wickets couldn’t undo the damage inflicted earlier.
Post-Match Reflections
SRH skipper Pat Cummins admitted his team was outplayed, saying, “We didn’t get enough runs on the board, and their batsmen took the game away from us. We’ll need to regroup and come back stronger.” LSG’s Rishabh Pant, relieved to secure the first win, praised his bowlers and batsmen, noting, “Shardul set it up, and Pooran and Marsh finished it beautifully. It’s about sticking to our processes.”
Conclusion: LSG’s Triumph Signals Intent
Hyderabad conquered ✅
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 27, 2025
Win secured ✅#LSG get their first 𝐖 of #TATAIPL 2025 with a comfortable victory over #SRH 💙
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/X6vyVEvxwz#SRHvLSG | @LucknowIPL pic.twitter.com/7lI4DESvQx
Match 7 of IPL 2025 will be remembered as the night LSG tamed SRH’s batting juggernaut in their own backyard. With a blend of disciplined bowling and explosive batting, they handed SRH their first home defeat of the season. As the tournament progresses, this victory could mark the start of something special for LSG, while SRH will look to bounce back from this rare batting hiccup. The IPL 2025 rollercoaster continues, and fans can’t wait for the next chapter.
