In the IPL 2025, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) needed to win to maintain their prospects of making the playoffs. They faced Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 19 at the Ekana Stadium. LSG looked poised to make a huge total after soaring to 108 without loss in the opening ten overs.
With Mitchell Marsh hitting 65 off 39 balls and Aiden Markram reaching his half-century off just 28 balls, the hosts took the lead.
In the end, debutant Harsh Dubey broke the opening stand by removing Marsh, giving SRH their first breakthrough and an opportunity to rally.
LSG captain Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, moved up to No. 3 and beat Nicholas Pooran. Pant’s time was cut short as he hit a boundary early in his innings for four, continuing his dismal play this season. When Pant faced Eshan Malinga in the 12th over, he attempted to hit a slower delivery back towards the bowler instead of pushing it down. During his follow-through, Malinga leaped to his left and made an incredible return catch in midair.
Once again, the southpaw had to walk back following a disappointing performance, having only managed to score seven runs off six balls. With his seventh single-digit score of the season, this ejection furthered Pant’s poor play.
Magnificent Malinga! 🪽😮
Athleticism on display from Eshan Malinga as he grabs a stunner to send back Rishabh Pant! 👌#LSG 133/2 after 13 overs.
Updates ▶ https://t.co/GNnZh90u7T#TATAIPL | #LSGvSRH | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/5rSouA8Kw0
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2025
Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants are in a must-win territory and even three wins in their remaining games may not prove enough if other results don’t fall in their favour. After Gujarat Titans’ 10-wicket win over Delhi Capitals on May 18, as many as three spots for the playoffs have been sealed, with Titans, RCB and PBKS going through. Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians and LSG are the three teams vying for the fourth playoffs berth.
