IPL 2025: Pooran’s blitz, Shardul Thakur’s four-fer guide LSG to comfortable win over SRH

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) chased down Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) total of 190/9 with ease, securing a five-wicket victory with 23 balls to spare in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday.

SRH, after being put to bat first, set a target of 191, but Shardul Thakur's brilliant bowling performance, where he took 4 wickets for 34 runs, restricted them to a total far below their expected score. Before the match, many anticipated that SRH might post the first-ever 300-plus score in IPL history, following their explosive performance in IPL 2025’s opening match. However, LSG’s bowlers, especially Thakur, had other plans.

SRH’s innings saw contributions from Head (47), Verma (36), and Reddy (32), but regular wickets fell in the middle overs, preventing the team from building momentum. Thakur struck in his second over, dismissing Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan off consecutive balls. Despite a brief fightback from the SRH middle order, LSG’s bowlers kept things in control. Notably, a bizarre run-out of Heinrich Klaasen and a timely wicket from Ravi Bishnoi left SRH struggling at 190/9.

In reply, LSG’s chase was built on a stunning knock from Nicholas Pooran. The left-handed batter smashed 70 runs off just 26 balls, hitting six fours and as many sixes. Pooran’s blistering start, including a series of massive hits against SRH’s bowlers, made the target look small. By the time he was dismissed by Pat Cummins, LSG only needed 71 runs from 68 balls, with the match firmly in their grasp.

Mitchell Marsh, who supported Pooran with a steady knock of 52 off 31 balls, continued the chase with confidence. Although LSG lost a few wickets, including Rishabh Pant and Ayush Badoni, they were always ahead of the required rate. Abdul Samad's quick-fire 22* off 8 balls finished the job for LSG, taking them to a five-wicket victory.

Earlier in the day, SRH had hoped for a high-scoring total, but the LSG bowlers, led by Thakur, held their ground. Thakur’s impressive performance was complemented by Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, and others. Despite some big hits from SRH’s lower order, LSG’s response was clinical, with Pooran’s fireworks taking them home comfortably.

Last season, SRH had chased down a modest target against LSG in just 9.4 overs. This time, however, LSG did the chasing with ease, completing the target with 23 balls to spare.