Visitors Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) clinched an impressive five-wicket win over the hosts, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in their recent IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) clash, successfully chasing down the 191-run target in just 16.1 overs. Nicholas Pooran’s 70 off 26 balls, along with Mitchell Marsh’s knock of 52, guided the Lucknow-based franchise to their first win of the season.
Earlier, SRH, after losing the toss and being asked to bat first at their home ground, managed a below-par total of 190/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Known for their high-scoring heroics, they failed to surpass the 200-run mark. Shardul Thakur was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball, producing his career-best IPL spell with figures of 4/34.
In his quota of four overs, he dismissed Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Abhinav Manohar, and Mohammed Shami. After being dropped twice, Travis Head scored 47 off 28 balls before being bowled by Prince Yadav. Heinrich Klaasen’s unfortunate run-out put the Orange Army on the back foot.
In reply, LSG lost Aiden Markram early, but Pooran’s performance with the bat made the chase look easy. He stitched together a crucial 116-run stand with Marsh in just 43 deliveries, shifting the momentum towards LSG. Despite losing some wickets in the middle, Abdul Samad played a small cameo, scoring an unbeaten 22 off 8 balls, sealing the chase against his former franchise.
The match stood in stark contrast to last season when SRH had chased down LSG’s 165 in just 9.4 overs at this very venue. However, both Pooran and Head played key roles in the match, making contributions in their own way.
Here’s comparing knocks of Head-Pooran in last IPL 2025 clash:
1. Strike Rate
The West Indian batter dominated with a blistering strike rate of 269.23. His innings featured six boundaries and six towering sixes, completely dismantling SRH’s bowling attack. One of the cleanest strikers of the ball, he looked at his absolute best. He wasted no time settling in, striking the ball all around the park from the moment he stepped to the crease. The Hyderabad wicket suited his style of play, and Pooran capitalised on it brilliantly.
On the other hand, Head played a controlled yet less impactful innings, scoring 47 off 28 balls at a strike rate of 167.85. While he got off to a solid start, his innings lacked the ruthless finishing touch he is known for, as the LSG bowlers did not allow him to stay long enough to inflict significant damage. Despite being given two lives in the same over, Head couldn’t fully capitalise, failing to make a game-changing contribution.
2. Range of Shots
Pooran’s knock was a spectacular display of power-hitting. He hammered the bowlers all around the ground, using the depth of the crease effectively. With an incredible bat swing and a steady head till the last moment, he launched sixes that often reached the second tier of the stands. The 29-year-old dominated the leg side, scoring 50 of his runs in that region.
Meanwhile, the Aussie batter, who typically wastes no time taking on the bowlers, had to slow down his innings after Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan fell early, putting immense pressure on him. While he played his shots freely, he couldn’t maintain the same level of intent. During his 28-ball stay, he struck five boundaries and three sixes. However, his two sixes off pacer Avesh Khan—one over mid-wicket and the other over covers—demonstrated his hitting range.
3. Impact
Pooran played a more impactful innings than the SRH opener, mainly due to his ability to read the conditions quickly. Despite Aiden Markram’s early dismissal, the No. 3 batter remained composed, ensuring LSG didn’t feel the pressure. Hyderabad, known for being a batting-friendly surface, worked in Pooran’s favour as he took full advantage, dominating the SRH bowlers.
His partnership with Mitchell Marsh was crucial in propelling the team past the 100-run mark in no time. In the previous game against the Delhi Capitals, he had displayed similar intent, scoring 75 runs, though his team ended up on the losing side. This time, however, he ensured LSG crossed the finish line and secured the victory. On the other hand, Head—one of the most destructive batters of this generation—couldn’t leave the kind of impact he usually does. LSG’s bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths, restricting his scoring opportunities and preventing him from capitalizing.
