Image: Lucknow struggle for consistency despite strong squad and Rishabh Pant's leadership / © Crictoday
In the IPL 2025 Auction, the Lucknow Super Giants made a quality signing of INR 27 Crore as they managed to sign up the star wicket-keeper batter of the Indian team, Rishabh Pant, and named him the captain of the team. With stars like Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Ayush Badoni, Avesh Khan, and Mitchell Marsh in the squad, the team was expected to do wonders on the field, but so far, the team has performed in bits and pieces. Such has been the story of the Lucknow Super Giants that in the 11 matches they have played so far, they have managed to win only 5 and have lost 6 games.
With 10 points and a negative net run rate of -0.469, they currently sit at the 7th position in the IPL 2025 points table. Their campaign has been marked by inconsistency, as the team has failed to string together back-to-back wins and gain momentum at crucial points in the season. The last few games especially have been tough for the team, with a losing streak beginning to impact their playoff chances. Their recent form shows a worrying trend, with losses piling up and no clear turnaround in sight.
In the IPL 2025, the Rishabh Pant-led team, Lucknow Super Giants started as one of the most talked-about sides after acquiring the star Indian wicketkeeper-batter for a whopping INR 27 Crore in the auction. The expectations were high, the squad looked balanced with power-hitters and pace options, but their on-field journey has been anything but consistent. The campaign began on a tight note against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam as LSG posted 209 for 8, a competitive total, but the Capitals edged past them by 1 wicket with just 3 balls to spare, handing LSG an agonizing loss as they bounced back in style against Sunrisers Hyderabad, chasing down 191 in just 16.1 overs with 5 wickets to spare, showcasing their batting might.
| Date | Match No. | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 24 Mar ’25 | 4th Match | Delhi Capitals | Visakhapatnam | DC won by 1 wicket (3 balls remaining) |
| Thu, 27 Mar ’25 | 7th Match | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad | LSG won by 5 wickets (23 balls remaining) |
| Tue, 01 Apr ’25 | 13th Match | Punjab Kings | Lucknow | PBKS won by 8 wickets (22 balls remaining) |
| Fri, 04 Apr ’25 | 16th Match | Mumbai Indians | Lucknow | LSG won by 12 runs |
| Tue, 08 Apr ’25 | 21st Match | Kolkata Knight Riders | Kolkata | LSG won by 4 runs |
| Sat, 12 Apr ’25 | 26th Match | Gujarat Titans | Lucknow | LSG won by 6 wickets (3 balls remaining) |
| Mon, 14 Apr ’25 | 30th Match | Chennai Super Kings | Lucknow | CSK won by 5 wickets (3 balls remaining) |
| Sat, 19 Apr ’25 | 36th Match | Rajasthan Royals | Jaipur | LSG won by 2 runs |
| Tue, 22 Apr ’25 | 40th Match | Delhi Capitals | Lucknow | DC won by 8 wickets (13 balls remaining) |
| Sun, 27 Apr ’25 | 45th Match | Mumbai Indians | Mumbai | MI won by 54 runs |
| Sun, 04 May ’25 | 54th Match | Punjab Kings | Dharamsala | PBKS won by 37 runs |
Lucknow’s home form suffered an early dent as they fell short against Punjab Kings. Defending 171, their bowlers couldn’t contain the chase, losing by 8 wickets. But the team quickly regrouped and registered a morale-boosting 12-run win over Mumbai Indians in their next match at home, defending 204 successfully. One of their biggest thrillers came in Kolkata, where LSG posted a mammoth 238 for 3. Despite a strong fight from KKR, Lucknow held their nerve to win by 4 runs. That match highlighted their explosive batting strength, with key contributions from Pooran and Badoni.
Their third straight win came against Gujarat Titans in Lucknow. Chasing 181, they won with 3 balls to spare, with the middle order delivering under pressure. At this point, LSG had won 4 out of 6 games and looked like they had found their rhythm. However, things started slipping again. Against CSK, despite scoring 166, they failed to defend the target as Chennai chased it down with 3 balls left and 5 wickets in hand and it was a close loss but a reminder of LSG’s bowling inconsistency, especially in the death overs.
The team bounced back yet again with a thrilling 2-run win over Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, defending 180 successfully. The bowlers, especially in the final overs, managed to hold their nerves, pulling off a narrow escape. But the joy was short-lived. In the return fixture against Delhi Capitals in Lucknow, they managed only 159 runs. DC, in reply, chased it down with ease, winning by 8 wickets with 13 balls to spare. It was a tame performance, both with bat and ball, highlighting LSG’s struggle to maintain momentum.
Next, they travelled to Wankhede to face Mumbai Indians. The home side posted 215, and in reply, LSG crumbled under scoreboard pressure, managing only 161. The 54-run loss was a wake-up call, as their batting looked unsteady in the big chase. In their latest outing in Dharamsala, LSG faced Punjab Kings once again. PBKS hammered 236 for 5, and despite a decent effort, LSG could only reach 199.
A 37-run defeat marked their sixth loss of the season, denting both morale and net run rate. So far, LSG has played 11 matches, winning 5 and losing 6. Despite some exciting wins and power-packed performances, the team’s inconsistency remains their biggest concern and their inability to build on momentum, struggles in tight chases, and fluctuating bowling performances have cost them crucial points.
Talking about the best players of the IPL 2025 for Lucknow Super Giants, there have been several standout performances across both batting and bowling departments. Leading the charge with the bat is Nicholas Pooran, who has been in excellent form, scoring 410 runs from 11 matches at an average of 41.00. His strike rate of 200.98 is a testament to his aggressive style, and he has been a consistent match-winner with four fifties and some crucial boundaries. Another key performer with the bat is Mitchell Marsh who has contributed significantly with 378 runs from 10 innings, maintaining a strike rate of 155.55.
At the top, Aiden Markram has chipped in with consistent contributions, scoring 348 runs at an average of 31.63. While his strike rate of 146.83 could be better, his ability to stabilize the innings in the middle overs has been important for the tea, and on the bowling side, Shardul Thakur has been the standout bowler, taking 12 wickets from 9 matches at an economy rate of 11.20 and Avesh Khan has also provided crucial breakthroughs with 10 wickets in 10 matches.
Considering the IPL 2025 second stage, the Lucknow Super Giants are set to face a crucial final phase of their campaign with three must-win matches lined up. Sitting in the middle of the table with 5 wins from 11 games, LSG still has a strong chance of making it to the playoffs, but only if they can finish the league stage on a winning note as their upcoming matches include a home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 19.
Then followed by an away clash against Gujarat Titans on May 22 in Ahmedabad, and a return to Lucknow for their final group match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 27. The team will be hopeful of getting the most out of their matches as they have the players who have the ability to perform well for them in the tough situations of the games which are coming up in the next few days.