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Must-Win Scenario for Lucknow Super Giants as IPL 2025 Playoff Hopes Dwindle
LSG in a Do-or-Die Situation Against SRH
As the IPL 2025 season enters its final stretch, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) find themselves clinging onto playoff hopes by the slimmest of margins. Facing a critical clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the stakes could not be higher. A loss would knock them out of contention, while a win would only keep them mathematically alive. Even with victories in all three remaining matches, LSG can only reach 16 points—and with a damaging net run rate of –0.469, their qualification path is uncertain at best.
Injuries and Player Form Impact LSG’s Momentum
Adding to their woes are underwhelming performances and injury concerns. Key leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi was dropped in their last game following a lackluster season—just nine wickets in ten matches at an economy of 10.42 and a bowling average of 41.67. Meanwhile, express pacer Mayank Yadav has been ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury, failing to regain form after his return mid-season.
Yet, there is a glimmer of hope. LSG’s earlier-season triumph over SRH, even without Mayank and with Bishnoi out of form, serves as a morale booster. That win was powered by a disciplined bowling unit that defied expectations on a batting-friendly Hyderabad pitch.
SRH’s Playoff Dreams Over, But Growth Remains the Focus
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, the playoff door has already closed. Ironically, their exit came during a rain-abandoned match immediately after their best bowling display of the season. Still, SRH captain Pat Cummins has urged fans and teammates to focus on the bigger picture—this is just year one of a three-year auction cycle. With the World Test Championship Final on the horizon, Cummins’ leadership will be pivotal not just for SRH’s final matches but also in preparing for international duties.
Despite being out of the race, SRH has a lot to prove. Their explosive start to the tournament promised much, but inconsistency hampered their progress. The team now aims to finish the season strong, taking every match as a learning curve.
Read about LSG’s previous matches and performance trends
Match Details: LSG vs SRH, IPL 2025
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Match: 61st of the Season
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Date & Time: May 19, 2025 – 07:30 PM LOCAL
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Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
Conditions and Pitch Report
Lucknow’s sweltering heat—day and night temperatures hovering around 40°C—will challenge player endurance. The Ekana Stadium, one of India’s largest grounds, has traditionally yielded middling scores. Only one total above 200 has been recorded in 10 innings this season. Expect a game of attrition rather than fireworks.
Head-to-Head Record
Lucknow have the upper hand in this rivalry, leading 4-1 against Sunrisers. They clinched the reverse fixture earlier in Hyderabad with a match-winning spell from Shardul Thakur, a standout replacement player.
Team Updates and Strategy Breakdown
Lucknow Super Giants: Changes and Key Players
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Unavailable: Mayank Yadav (injury), Shamar Joseph
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Replacements: William O’Rourke (unlikely to feature due to overseas player cap)
One of the few positives for LSG has been the emergence of Digvesh Rathi, a versatile bowler contributing across all three phases. His adaptability provides strategic depth:
Digvesh Rathi’s Bowling Split:
| Phase | Overs | Wickets | Avg | SR | ER | Dot % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 13 | 2 | 55.00 | 39.0 | 8.46 | 33.3% |
| Middle overs | 22 | 6 | 26.67 | 22.0 | 7.27 | 33.3% |
| Death overs | 9 | 4 | 21.50 | 13.5 | 9.56 | 27.7% |
Probable XI: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c/wk), Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Akash Singh/Ravi Bishnoi, Digvesh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep/Shardul Thakur, Prince Yadav
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Rotation and Recovery
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Unavailable: Wiaan Mulder
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Doubtful: Travis Head (recovering from Covid; return scheduled just before matchday)
SRH’s strategy could see Cummins continue with the new ball. In their last outing, he grabbed 3/19 by bowling Test match lengths—an approach that might again pay dividends.
Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Travis Head/Kamindu Mendis, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Sachin Baby, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga
Key Statistics to Watch
Individual and Team Metrics That Could Shape the Match
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Rishabh Pant holds the lowest strike rate (99.22) among batters who have faced 100+ balls this season.
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Both LSG and SRH are the most expensive PowerPlay bowling units, conceding runs at 10.5 and 10.1 respectively.
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SRH spinners have taken just 10 wickets this season—the fewest among all teams.
This fixture might be inconsequential for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the standings, but for Lucknow, it’s a must-win match that still may not be enough. With playoff qualification hanging by a thread, they’ll have to overcome odds, player absences, and low morale to stay in contention.
Learn more about IPL playoff qualification scenarios
