Nicholas Pooran’s Blazing 70 Off 26 Powers LSG to Thrilling Win Over SRH by 5 Wickets!

With a dominant victory and a big run chase, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) overpowered Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets in their IPL 2025 clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Chasing a challenging target of 191, LSG stormed to victory in just 16.1 overs, thanks to a breathtaking 26-ball 70 from Nicholas Pooran and a well-paced half-century from Mitchell Marsh. 

SRH’s Explosive Start and Middle-Order Collapse

Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by Pat Cummins, won the toss and chose to bat first. Their innings began in a whirlwind fashion as Travis Head took charge from the very first over. The Australian batter looked in prime form, dispatching the LSG bowlers to all parts of the ground. He scored a quick 47 off just 28 balls, smashing five boundaries and three sixes. However, his promising knock came to an end when he was bowled by Prince Yadav in the seventh over.

The early damage for SRH, though, had already been inflicted when Abhishek Sharma (6) and Ishan Kishan (0) fell cheaply in the second over, both dismissed by Shardul Thakur. Kishan’s golden duck was a big blow for SRH, and it put them on the back foot early. Despite losing two quick wickets, Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy tried to stabilize the innings, building a partnership that took SRH past 75 runs in just under eight overs.

Nitish Kumar Reddy played a composed knock of 32 off 28 balls, hitting two boundaries, but he struggled to accelerate at the required rate. His dismissal in the 14th over, bowled by Ravi Bishnoi, slowed SRH down considerably. Heinrich Klaasen, SRH’s designated finisher, looked in good touch, hammering 26 off 17 balls with two fours and one six, but he was unfortunately run out by a direct hit from Prince Yadav, adding to SRH’s troubles.

Aniket Verma then provided a much-needed boost to the innings with a blistering 36 off just 13 balls, smashing five sixes at a strike rate of 276.92. His onslaught took SRH past 150 in the 16th over, shifting momentum in their favor. However, his aggressive approach led to his downfall, as he was caught by David Miller off Digvesh Rathi’s bowling.

Captain Pat Cummins played a fiery cameo, hitting 18 off just four balls, including three massive sixes. The lower order couldn’t contribute much, with Abhinav Manohar (2), Mohammed Shami (1), and Simarjeet Singh (3) falling cheaply. Harshal Patel remained unbeaten on 12 off 11 balls, but SRH could only manage 190/9 at the end of their 20 overs. The highlight of the bowling attack was Shardul Thakur, who finished with 4/34 in his four-over spell, dismantling SRH’s batting lineup at crucial junctures. 

LSG’s Dominant Chase Led by Pooran’s Carnage

Lucknow Super Giants’ chase didn’t begin on the best note, as they lost Aiden Markram early in the second over for just one run off four balls. However, what followed was a batting masterclass from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh. Marsh, playing as LSG’s Impact Player, anchored the innings while Pooran unleashed a relentless assault on the SRH bowlers. Marsh scored a brilliant 52 off 31 balls, striking at a rate of 167.74, with seven boundaries and two sixes. 

While Marsh provided stability, Pooran completely took the game away from SRH. The left-handed power-hitter blasted his way to 70 off just 26 balls, hitting six fours and six sixes. He reached his half-century in just 18 balls, making it one of the fastest fifties in IPL 2025. His explosive batting left SRH bowlers helpless, as he dismantled both spin and pace with ease. His knock was a perfect combination of fearless hitting and intelligent shot selection.

Despite his brilliance, Pooran fell in the ninth over when he was trapped lbw by Pat Cummins. His dismissal slowed down LSG’s charge momentarily, but the required run rate had already been brought down significantly. Mitchell Marsh continued his steady innings but was dismissed in the 11th over, caught by Mohammed Shami off Harshal Patel’s delivery. Ayush Badoni (6 off 6) also fell cheaply, caught off Adam Zampa’s bowling, and when Rishabh Pant departed for 15 off 15 balls in the 14th over, SRH saw a glimmer of hope. 

Miller played a quick 13 off 7 balls with two boundaries, while Abdul Samad finished the game in style, smashing 22 off just 8 balls with two fours and two sixes. Samad’s power-hitting in the final few overs sealed the victory for LSG, as they reached 193/5 in just 16.1 overs, winning the match with 23 balls to spare. LSG’s victory not only earned them two crucial points but also gave them a significant net run rate boost, strengthening their position in the IPL 2025 standings. 

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

The 7th match of IPL 2025 between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The game had everything from explosive batting to crucial wickets, but the defining moment came in the 12th over, bowled by Prince Yadav. This over shifted the momentum in LSG’s favor, and it was crowned as TCNI’s Magic Moment of the game. On the last ball of the over, Heinrich Klaasen was run out in an unfortunate yet dramatic fashion. Facing an overpitched delivery, Nitish Kumar Reddy drove the ball hard towards Prince Yadav, who attempted a low catch but failed to hold on. 

However, the ball deflected off his hands and crashed onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Klaasen, who was backing up too far, was caught out of his crease and had to walk back immediately. His dismissal left SRH struggling at 110/4, halting their momentum at a crucial juncture. Prince Yadav had already dismissed Travis Head earlier, making him responsible for two of SRH’s most crucial wickets. Although he seemed to have injured his hand in the process, his impact was undeniable. SRH, who were building a strong foundation, lost a key batter in Klaasen, and their innings never fully recovered. This game-changing moment played a huge role in restricting SRH to 190/9, ultimately paving the way for LSG’s successful run chase.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

With the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants concluded, many would hail Shardul Thakur as the standout performer for his four-wicket haul, which helped restrict SRH. Others might argue that Nicholas Pooran’s blistering knock turned the game in LSG’s favor, making the chase a straightforward task. However, one player who made a significant impact for SRH was Aniket Verma. 

Coming in at a crucial stage when SRH was struggling at 128/5 in 14 overs, Verma played a sensational knock of 36 runs off just 13 balls. His innings included five massive sixes and an incredible strike rate of 276.92, ensuring SRH reached a competitive total of 190/9. His aggressive approach gave SRH a much-needed boost in the death overs. Although SRH eventually lost, Verma’s fearless batting played a key role in giving his team a fighting chance in the match.