Lucknow: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) crashed out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoff race after suffering a six-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who chased down a daunting target of 206 in a record-breaking run chase at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium here on Monday.
The result not only ended LSG’s stuttering campaign but also marked the first-ever successful 200-plus chase in IPL history here, rewriting expectations at a venue traditionally known to favour bowlers in the second innings.
Visibly gutted, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant took a moment to compose himself before the post-match handshakes — a powerful image reflecting a campaign undone by inconsistency, especially from the middle order.
Put in to bat, LSG posted 205 for 7, thanks to a dazzling 115-run opening stand between Mitchell Marsh (65 off 39) and Aiden Markram (61 off 35). The pair helped their side reach 69 without loss in the Powerplay and 115/0 at the halfway mark, setting the stage for a mammoth total.
However, the innings imploded after Marsh fell to Harsh Dubey. The middle order caved under pressure once again — a recurring issue all season. Nicholas Pooran’s brisk 45 off 26 balls kept the scoreboard moving, but LSG managed only 90 runs in the last 10 overs for the loss of seven wickets. Eashan Malinga (2/28) and Harshal Patel (1/49) applied the brakes effectively in the death overs.
SRH responded with a statement of intent, as Abhishek Sharma blazed away to 59 off just 20 balls, reaching his half-century in just 18 deliveries. His blitz, including four fours and six sixes, powered SRH to 100 runs inside eight overs.
Ishan Kishan (35) and Heinrich Klaasen (47 off 28) kept the chase on track before a brief injury scare to Kamindu Mendis, who retired hurt on 32. However, with only 11 runs needed from 15 balls, Aniket Verma and Nitish Kumar Reddy calmly completed the chase with 10 balls to spare.
LSG’s bowling lacked bite, with only Digvesh Singh Rathi (2/37) showing some control. The rest of the attack leaked runs, conceding 10 extras, including nine wides.
Having started the season with gritty wins, LSG’s campaign unravelled due to their brittle middle order and lack of discipline at the death — flaws brutally exposed on Monday. The crushing loss not only ended their playoff hopes but also mirrored the story of their season: promising starts, disappointing finishes.
