Why Lucknow Super Giants Failed to Qualify for IPL 2025 Playoffs?

With the IPL 2025 Auction done, the one news that made it to the top of the headlines was of the Lucknow Super Giants buying Rishabh Pant for a whopping INR 27 Crore. The franchise expected him to lead and perform brilliantly for the team in the ongoing season after they revamped their squad. With new talents like Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Digvesh Rathi, David Miller, and others joining, LSG aimed to make IPL 2025 a turning point for their success.

Team	Matches Played (M)	Wins (W)	Losses (L)	Points (PT)	Net Run Rate (NRR)
Lucknow Super Giants	12	5	7	10	-0.506

However, after 12 matches in IPL 2025, Lucknow Super Giants have struggled to find their rhythm. They secured only 5 victories and faced 7 defeats, collecting 10 points with a negative net run rate of -0.506, placing them seventh on the points table. This has been a letdown for a team with such high hopes. Their season took a major hit when they were eliminated from playoff contention following a heavy loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, who chased down 206 runs comfortably.

Lucknow Relying on Markram, Marsh and Badoni in the Batting Department

Starting from the top, the Lucknow Super Giants managed to build an amazing pair of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh at the top, who did wonders with the bat in IPL 2025. However, the team’s overall batting struggled, and a major blow was their captain, Rishabh Pant, not even making it to the top five batters for the season. With high hopes pinned on Pant after his massive INR 27 Crore signing, his poor performance has been a big setback for LSG, who have found it tough to shine this season.

Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	BF	HS	Ave	SR	100	50	0	4s	6s
N Pooran	12	12	1	455	230	87*	41.36	197.82	–	4	–	40	35
MR Marsh	11	11	0	443	282	81	40.27	157.09	–	5	2	42	24
AK Markram	12	12	0	409	275	66	34.08	148.72	–	5	–	35	20
A Badoni	12	11	1	329	222	74	32.90	148.19	–	2	–	27	14
Abdul Samad	11	11	3	163	92	45	20.37	177.17	–	–	–	8	14

Nicholas Pooran has been LSG’s standout batter, topping the charts with 455 runs in 12 matches. His unbeaten 87* and an impressive average of 41.36, paired with a blistering strike rate of 197.82, made him a game-changer. Pooran smashed 40 fours and 35 sixes, delivering four fifties and proving his worth as a consistent finisher. Mitchell Marsh, another key batter, scored 443 runs in 11 innings with an average of 40.27 and a strike rate of 157.09. His highest score of 81 and five fifties showed his ability to anchor innings, though he had two ducks. Marsh’s 42 fours and 24 sixes added firepower to LSG’s top order.

Aiden Markram was equally reliable, scoring 409 runs in 12 innings with an average of 34.08 and a strike rate of 148.72. His highest of 66 and five fifties provided stability, with 35 fours and 20 sixes showcasing his class. Ayush Badoni chipped in with 329 runs in 11 innings, averaging 32.90 and striking at 148.19. His best score of 74 and two fifties showed promise, with 27 fours and 14 sixes. Abdul Samad, lower down the order, scored 163 runs in 11 innings, averaging 20.37 with a strike rate of 177.17. His quick 45 and 14 sixes added some late sparks.

Shockingly, Rishabh Pant, LSG’s captain, failed to break into this top-five list. With only 135 runs in 12 matches, a batting average below 13, and a strike rate of 100, Pant’s form has been a massive letdown. Fans expected him to lead from the front, but his struggles have hurt LSG’s campaign. Pant’s lack of runs, combined with the team’s inability to gel, has made IPL 2025 a tough season for the Lucknow Super Giants.

Lucknow Bowlers Failing in Crunch Situations

Even the bowlers of the Lucknow Super Giants failed to make a proper impact in IPL 2025, with their best bowler, Mayank Yadav, ruled out due to injury, and several others struggling to deliver. The absence of Yadav, known for his fiery pace, left a big gap in the bowling attack, and LSG’s overall performance suffered, finishing seventh with just 5 wins in 12 matches and a net run rate of -0.506. The team’s bowling unit, despite some individual efforts, couldn’t consistently trouble opponents, contributing to their disappointing season. Leading the bowling charts for LSG was Digvesh Rathi, who stepped up with 14 wickets in 12 matches.

Player	Mat	Inns	Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Ave	Econ	SR	5w	10w	Ct
AK Markram	12	5	11.0	102	4	2/30	25.50	9.27	16.5	–	–	6
DS Rathi	12	12	48.0	393	14	2/30	28.07	8.18	20.5	–	–	2
SN Thakur	10	10	34.0	375	13	4/34	28.84	11.02	15.6	–	–	4
Avesh Khan	11	11	40.3	404	10	3/37	40.40	9.97	24.3	–	–	2
Ravi Bishnoi	11	11	37.0	401	9	2/18	44.55	10.83	24.6	–	–	4

Bowling 48 overs, he conceded 393 runs at an average of 28.07 and an economy rate of 8.18. His best figures of 2/30 showed his ability to pick key wickets, though he couldn’t dominate consistently. Shardul Thakur was another key contributor, taking 13 wickets in 10 matches. His 34 overs cost 375 runs, with an average of 28.84 and a high economy of 11.02. Thakur’s best performance of 4/34 was a highlight, but his expensive spells hurt LSG at times.

Avesh Khan managed 10 wickets in 11 matches, bowling 40.3 overs while giving away 404 runs at an average of 40.40 and an economy of 9.97. His best of 3/37 showed flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency let him down. Ravi Bishnoi, the spinner, took 9 wickets in 11 matches, conceding 401 runs in 37 overs at a costly economy of 10.83 and an average of 44.55. His best figures of 2/18 were decent, but he struggled to control runs.

Aiden Markram, primarily a batter, chipped in with 4 wickets in 5 innings, bowling 11 overs for 102 runs at an average of 25.50 and an economy of 9.27. His best of 2/30 added value, but his limited bowling role couldn’t turn games around. The bowlers’ inability to restrict runs, combined with poor support from the batting unit, including captain Rishabh Pant’s struggles, sealed LSG’s fate.