The Indian Premier League 2025 is in its final stages, with every match now a do-or-die affair for the competing teams. On Monday, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at their home ground, the Ekana Cricket Stadium.
Sports News: When the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) take the field on Monday for their crucial IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, their aim will be not just victory, but a convincing win. This will help them stay in the playoff race and improve their net run rate significantly.
The league, suspended for a week due to military tensions between India and Pakistan, has resumed. This makes the match even more critical for LSG. Captain Rishabh Pant hasn't contributed significantly with the bat so far, but in this decisive encounter, he will strive not only for a team victory but also to regain his form with a b personal performance.
LSG's Hopes Entangled in Net Run Rate
Lucknow Super Giants have 5 wins from 11 matches, placing them at the lower end of the points table with 10 points. However, their negative net run rate (-0.469) is a major concern. To stay in the playoff contention, they need to win not only this match but also their remaining matches by substantial margins. Captain KL Rahul (likely captain; mention of Pant may be outdated) and the batters must learn from past failures and adopt a new strategy.
On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad are already out of the playoff race. However, this doesn't mean they will take the match lightly. SRH will play for pride in the remaining matches and could potentially upset other teams' calculations. They have nothing to lose, making them a dangerous opponent.
Pitch Report: What to Expect from the Ekana Stadium Pitch?
The Ekana Cricket Stadium pitch in Lucknow has generally been considered slow and helpful for bowlers. However, this season has seen a considerable number of runs scored here. The previous match between LSG and Delhi Capitals saw Lucknow score 159 runs, which Delhi chased down easily. Overall, it's becoming a balanced pitch where bowlers might get early assistance, but it could become easier for batsmen later in the innings.
Ekana Cricket Stadium Statistics
- Total Matches: 19
- Teams batting first won: 8
- Teams chasing won: 10
- Highest Score: Kolkata Knight Riders – 235/6
- Lowest Score: LSG – 108
- Average first innings score: 167
Weather Forecast: Thrills Amidst the Heat
According to AccuWeather, the temperature in Lucknow will be around 38°C at the start of the match, dropping to 33°C by night. Humidity will range between 31-46%, which might pose some challenges for the players. There is no prediction of rain, ensuring fans can enjoy the full match.
Head-to-Head: LSG Holds the Edge
- 5 matches played between the two teams so far
- LSG won 4 times
- SRH won 1 time
When and Where to Watch the Match?
- Match Time: 7:30 PM onwards
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: JioCinema app and website
Probable Playing XI for Both Teams
Lucknow: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (Captain), Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Akash Singh, Digvijay Singh Rathore, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, and Prince Yadav.
Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Travis Head/Kamindu Mendis, Heinrich Klaasen, Ankit Verma, Sachin Baby, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (Captain), Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Jishan Ansari, and Ishan Malinga.
