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In a must-win clash for playoff hopes, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) face off against a Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) side already eliminated from the race as IPL 2025 enters its final phase. The match will be played at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Monday, where LSG have had mixed results this season. With just 10 points from 11 matches and sitting in 7th place, LSG can’t afford another loss if they want to keep their slim playoff chances alive. Meanwhile, SRH, with only 3 wins in 11 games, will look to end their campaign on a high note. Historically, LSG has dominated SRH, winning 3 of the last 4 meetings. However, with both teams showing inconsistency, this game promises to be an intriguing contest.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match Number | Match 61 – IPL 2025 |
| Teams | Lucknow Super Giants vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Date | 20th May 2025 |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
| Time | TBA |
| Live Streaming | Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar |
| Toss Timing | Expected around 30 minutes before start |
Team Preview – Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants find themselves in a precarious position, sitting seventh in the points table with 10 points from 11 matches. A single defeat could spell the end of their playoff journey. They’ve struggled for consistency throughout the tournament, losing five out of their last seven games. Despite that, there have been moments of brilliance—especially from Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, and Aiden Markram—who remain their most reliable contributors.
Pooran leads the batting charts with 410 runs at a strike rate of over 200, making him one of the most dangerous finishers in the league. Marsh has contributed significantly with 378 runs at a strike rate of 155, including four half-centuries. Aiden Markram has also found form recently, scoring 348 runs at a strike rate of 147.
However, the middle order has often failed under pressure. Rishabh Pant, despite being the captain, has scored only 128 runs in 10 innings. David Miller hasn’t clicked either, failing to convert starts into impactful scores.
The bowling department is led by Avesh Khan (10 wickets), who has impressed with his death bowling. Digvesh Singh Rathi has emerged as a surprise package with 12 wickets and an economy of 8.09. Ravi Bishnoi, though expensive, offers variety with his leg-spin.
LSG need a strong performance here—not just a win but a convincing one—to boost their NRR and stay in contention.
Team Preview – Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign has been largely disappointing, as they’ve managed only three wins in 11 matches and are already out of playoff contention. Their batting has lacked consistency, with Travis Head struggling for form and Abhishek Sharma showing flashes of brilliance without maintaining momentum.
Abhishek Sharma remains the standout performer with two big knocks—141* off 88 balls and 74 off 41 balls—but his inconsistency has hurt the team. Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan have had decent outings but haven’t delivered consistently enough to anchor the innings.
Aniket Verma has emerged as a crucial finisher, scoring at a strike rate of 154 and offering stability in the death overs. His ability to rotate the strike and clear boundaries makes him valuable in tight chases.
The bowling unit, however, has shown some improvement. Pat Cummins has taken control as captain, delivering sharp spells and leading with the ball. Harshal Patel continues to contribute with clever variations in the middle overs. Jaydev Unadkat and Zeeshan Ansari have shared 13 wickets between them and provide balance to the attack.
Despite their poor run, SRH have the firepower to cause upsets if their top order clicks and the bowlers execute well. This game gives them a chance to play spoiler and finish the season on a positive note.
Favourite Team to Win Today & Why
| Favourite Team | Why |
|---|---|
| Lucknow Super Giants | Need a win to keep playoff hopes alive, stronger batting lineup, better head-to-head record, and home advantage. |
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Role | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas Pooran | WK-Batsman | Lucknow Super Giants | Explosive batter; finishing ability unmatched |
| Aiden Markram | Batsman | Lucknow Super Giants | Reliable opener; good form recently |
| Mitchell Marsh | Batsman | Lucknow Super Giants | Power hitter; consistent contributor |
| Abhishek Sharma | Batsman | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Can change the course of the game with aggressive strokeplay |
| Aniket Verma | All-rounder | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Valuable lower-order runs + economical at times |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Batsman | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Steady presence; capable of anchoring innings |
| Avesh Khan | Bowler | Lucknow Super Giants | Death specialist; effective with yorkers and slower deliveries |
| Digvesh Singh Rathi | Bowler | Lucknow Super Giants | Economical and wicket-taking threat in middle overs |
| Harshal Patel | Bowler | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Smart variations; disrupts partnerships |
| Jaydev Unadkat | Bowler | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Experienced pacer; picks up key wickets |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler | Lucknow Super Giants | Leg-spinner adds variety; unpredictable |
Fantasy Explanation:
This fantasy XI balances power hitters like Pooran and Marsh with consistent performers like Markram and Klaasen. Aniket Verma and Harshal Patel offer all-round value. Avesh Khan and Digvesh Rathi are key wicket-taking options for LSG, while Unadkat and Patel provide SRH’s best bowling threats.
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
| Suggested Captain | Suggested Vice-Captain |
|---|---|
| Nicholas Pooran (LSG) | Mitchell Marsh (LSG) |
Why?
Both are in excellent form, deliver explosive performances, and are likely to score heavily or pick up vital wickets.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Team
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant (LSG) | Struggling with form; low returns so far |
| Travis Head (SRH) | Out-of-form opener; inconsistent performances |
Team Squads
Lucknow Super Giants Squad
Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c), David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Akash Singh, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Deepak Hooda, Romario Shepherd
Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad
Pat Cummins (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Sachin Baby, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar, Abhinav Manohar, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga, Travis Head, Adil Rashid
Probable Playing XI
| Lucknow Super Giants XI | Sunrisers Hyderabad XI |
|---|---|
| Aiden Markram | Abhishek Sharma |
| Nicholas Pooran | Ishan Kishan (wk) |
| Rishabh Pant (c) | Heinrich Klaasen |
| Mitchell Marsh | Sachin Baby |
| Ayush Badoni | Aniket Verma |
| Abdul Samad | Abhinav Manohar |
| Akash Singh | Pat Cummins (c) |
| Avesh Khan | Harshal Patel |
| Digvesh Singh Rathi | Jaydev Unadkat |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Zeeshan Ansari |
| Prince Yadav (Impact Player) | Eshan Malinga (Impact Player) |
Pitch Report
- Pitch Type: Balanced, slightly favoring batters
- Average First Innings Score: ~166
- Second Innings Average: ~150+
- Batting Conditions: Moderate scoring; gets slower as match progresses
- Pace Bowling: Swing early; not much later
- Spin Bowling: Comes into play after powerplay; grips and turns
- Toss Impact: Chasing has been easier due to dew and slower pitch late on
Toss Prediction
- Likely Outcome: Clear weather, toss expected around 30 minutes before start
- Decision: Field first; chasing has been more successful at this venue in IPL 2025
Winner Prediction
- Favourites: Lucknow Super Giants
- Reason: Must-win game; better batting depth, home advantage, and superior head-to-head record
- Prediction: Lucknow Super Giants to win and keep their playoff dream alive
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