Lucknow Super Giants sealed a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in Match 27 of the TATA IPL 2025.
The win marked their second triumph at home this season, built on the back of a disciplined bowling resurgence in the first innings and a commanding batting display in the chase. Aiden Markram’s elegant 58 off 31 deliveries laid the perfect foundation, while Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 61 off 34 ensured LSG cruised to victory with ease.
Chasing 181, Lucknow Super Giants unveiled a new opening combination in the absence of Mitchell Marsh, with skipper Rishabh Pant partnering Aiden Markram at the top. The duo gave LSG a solid start, blending Markram’s classical strokeplay with Pant’s inventive shot-making to take the side to 61/0 by the end of the powerplay.
The breakthrough came via Prasidh Krishna, who dismissed Pant for a brisk 21 off 18, ending a promising stand. However, what followed was an exhibition of pure power-hitting as Nicholas Pooran strode in and launched a calculated assault on GT’s spin attack.
Pooran wasted no time settling in, counterattacking with intent and dismantling the bowlers with brutal efficiency. Markram continued to anchor the innings from the other end, compiling a fluent 58 off 31 deliveries — an innings full of poise and purpose that earned him the Player of the Match.
Pooran’s belligerent knock saw him hammer three sixes off Sai Kishore, racing to his fourth fifty of the season. His 61 off 34 not only took LSG to the brink but also earned him the Orange Cap. Ayush Badoni’s composed 28* ensured there were no late stumbles as LSG cruised home with six wickets in hand and stamped a dominant win over GT.
Put in to bat first, Gujarat Titans got off to a dream start, thanks to a commanding opening stand between skipper Shubman Gill and the ever-consistent Sai Sudharsan. The duo laid a rock-solid foundation, exhibiting sublime timing, elegant strokeplay, and smart placement to maximize the powerplay, taking GT to 54/0 after six overs.
As spin was introduced, both batters showcased exemplary footwork and technique, seamlessly rotating strike while punishing loose deliveries. Bishnoi and Markram were immediately under pressure, conceding 12 and 15 runs respectively in their opening overs. The 100-run partnership came up in style, marking the first century opening stand of the season.
Sai Sudharsan, who currently hold the orange cap, notched up his fourth half-century of the campaign, while Gill brought up his second fifty, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. The breakthrough came in the 13th over when Avesh Khan ended the 120-run alliance, dismissing Gill for a well-crafted 60 off 38.
The momentum shifted swiftly as Ravi Bishnoi (2/36) returned to scalp Sudharsan for 56 (37) and then removed Washington Sundar in the same over. As LSG found a door, they further executed their plans to perfection and contained the runs. With wickets tumbling and runs drying up, GT managed only 60 runs in the final eight overs. Shardul Thakur (2/34), with a near hat-trick, capped off a clinical death-overs spell, restricting GT to 180/6.
