In a thrilling encounter at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) clinched a five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), thanks to a match-winning spell from Shardul Thakur and a blistering knock by Nicholas Pooran. Thakur, who was roped in by LSG as a replacement for Mohsin Khan just before the tournament, showcased his prowess by taking 4 wickets for 34 runs, significantly restricting SRH to 190/9.
Following the match, Thakur expressed his concerns about the nature of pitches in the IPL, advocating for more balanced tracks. ‘I feel bowlers get very little on these kinds of pitches,’ the 33-year-old remarked, highlighting the challenges faced by bowlers on batting-friendly surfaces. He further elaborated on the need for pitches that offer something for both batters and bowlers, especially in light of the impact player rule which has led to high-scoring games.
Thakur’s early breakthroughs, dismissing Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan off consecutive deliveries, set the tone for LSG’s bowling effort. Reflecting on his late inclusion in the IPL squad, Thakur revealed he had plans to play County cricket in England if not selected. However, a timely call from SRH mentor Zaheer Khan changed his course, bringing him back into the IPL fold.
The victory was a significant relief for LSG captain Rishabh Pant, who emphasized the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome. ‘Big relief, but as a team we talk about the process. It’s not about getting too high when you win and not about getting too low when you lose,’ Pant stated, underscoring the team’s approach to maintaining balance.
Nicholas Pooran’s explosive innings of 70 runs off just 26 balls, including 6 sixes and 6 fours, was instrumental in LSG’s successful chase. Pooran, who was encouraged by the team management to play his natural, attacking game, emphasized his focus on timing the ball and positioning himself correctly to execute big shots. ‘I don’t plan to hit sixes, try my best to get into good positions and try to time the ball,’ he explained, attributing his success to his natural talent rather than specific training on bat speed.
The batting-friendly track in Hyderabad played a crucial role in Pooran’s performance, allowing LSG to capitalize on the conditions and secure the win with 3.5 overs to spare. Pooran noted the advantage of having wickets in hand post-Powerplay, which enabled the team to play aggressively and chase down the target comfortably.