Date: May 2025
Match: TATA IPL 2025, Match #61
Result: SRH defeated LSG by 6 wickets (10 balls remaining)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) kept their IPL 2025 playoff hopes alive by dismantling Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 6 wickets. Chasing a daunting target of 206 runs, SRH tackled the chase with relative ease as the highlight of the match was any time Abhishek Sharma got out of his crease and put bat to ball.
Power Start & Abhishek’s Rampage
The promoted opener, Atharva Taide, launched SRH into a strong position before getting caught off the bowling of William O’Rourke. Taide was replaced at the crease by Abhishek Sharma, who said “hold my beer”, and launched a counter-attack of furious proportions. Sharma’s 18-ball fifty, which included a barrage of four consecutive sixes off Ravi Bishnoi, set the game alight and left LSG digging from the previous day’s game.
Abhishek’s outburst ultimately meant SRH was permitted to play at ease, as though they were best friends with the chase.
Cool finish despite minor hiccups
With the job almost done, Henrich Klaasen and Kamindu Mendis were left with the job of crossing the line without fuss. Klaasen offered up his wicket relatively near the end, while Mendis was struck down with cramping due to a hamstring issue, however SRH had already crossed the finish line well before any threat could exist. The chase concluded with 10 balls to spare, with SRH confirming their intent and ruthlessness.
For LSG, Digvesh Singh was the only bowler who even looked like threatening to alter the result. Digvesh removed both Abhishek and Kishan, and was let down by his fellow teammates as the rest of the attack capitulated under immense pressure.
LSG’s Strong Start Fizzles
Earlier on the night, LSG did start bright after opting to bat. The openers put together an imposing 115 partnership in 10 overs. Mitchell Marsh struck 65 off 39 balls and looked in sublime touch. But then, debutant Harsh Dubey got the all-important breakthrough and pulled SRH back into contention.
Shortly after falling began the fall of Rishabh Pant and Aiden Markram, and besides a Nicholas Pooran slaying of the death, LSG ended with 205/7, which they wouldn’t view as a problem given the bright start. Ehsan Malinga bowled well for SRH and offered a disciplined 2/28 spell whilst Harshal Patel had an unremarkable outing with no balls and wides at serval critical times.
Qualification Race Tightens
And it has big ramifications for the points table. LSG are pretty much done while SRH now make an accurate case for getting into the last four and both will now await the outcome of the Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals match, with it’s now a near knockout for DC but how things play out next still matter as the mid-table is quite congested.
Player of the Match: Abhishek Sharma
For his understanding off the explosive 50 (18) and match altering intent, which knocked LSG off the pace early in the chase.
Final word:
SRH’s desire to chase down big runs, their exciting line up with fast and furious hitters & the tactical clarity makes them a frightening side heading toward the business end of IPL 2025. Meanwhile, LSG will be left asking just what could have been on such a big occasion when that’s unable to capitalise on what could have been a great lay-off day for them.
