IPL 2025: Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram Shine as LSG Bowlers Dismantle GT’s Winning Streak
In a pulsating encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ended Gujarat Titans’ (GT) winning streak in the IPL 2025 season, thanks to explosive batting from Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram, backed by a disciplined bowling performance that turned the game on its head.
Pooran, the Caribbean powerhouse, lived up to his reputation as a game-changer by smashing his fourth fifty of the season in just 23 balls. His aggressive intent was evident as he tonked the ball to all corners of the park, keeping LSG in the hunt during their chase of 181 runs. Alongside him, Markram played a composed yet impactful knock, reaching his half-century in 26 balls. Together, their 58-run partnership for the second wicket laid the foundation for a memorable victory.
Earlier, LSG’s top-order faced challenges on a tricky surface. With Mitchell Marsh absent from the playing XI, Rishabh Pant returned to the opener’s slot in the IPL for the first time in nine years. However, Pant struggled to find rhythm, faltering early. It was the composure of Markram and the flair of Pooran that steered LSG through turbulent waters. In the closing stages, Impact Player Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad held their nerves to seal the chase with calm heads.
GT’s innings had started with promise, as they raced to 54/0 in the powerplay, driven by fluent strokeplay from captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. The duo powered GT past the 100-run mark before the halfway stage, with both reaching fifties—Gill in 31 balls and Sudharsan in 32 balls. By the 12th over, GT were cruising at 120/0, looking set for a mammoth total.
However, LSG’s bowlers had other plans. The tide turned dramatically between overs 13 and 14, as GT lost key wickets in quick succession. Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi struck decisive blows, removing Gill, Sudharsan, and Washington Sundar in a span of two overs. Bishnoi, in particular, was exceptional, finishing with figures of 4-0-36-2, including a tight final over where he conceded just four runs. Youngster Digvesh Rathi also impressed, dismissing the dangerous Jos Buttler and ending with economical figures of 4-0-30-1. Seamers Shardul Thakur (2/34) and Avesh Khan (1/32) ensured GT couldn’t recover, restricting them to just 60 runs in the last eight overs.
Reflecting on the loss, GT skipper Shubman Gill admitted that losing set batters at crucial junctures derailed their plans. ‘The wicket wasn’t easy to hit from the word go. Our plan was to have a set batter play till the 17th or 18th over to reach 200-210, but back-to-back wickets hurt us. The ball was stopping, and our strike rotation wasn’t up to the mark. That’s something we need to improve,’ Gill said during the post-match presentation.
This match showcased the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where fortunes can change in mere overs. For LSG, this victory is a testament to their batting depth and bowling resilience, with Pooran emerging as the star performer of IPL 2025 so far. As the tournament progresses, both teams will look to refine their strategies, but for now, LSG fans can celebrate a hard-fought triumph over a formidable GT side.