LSG vs PBKS Match - 13

Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera guide Punjab to 8-wicket win over Lucknow

The Punjab Kings produced an all-round display to convincingly defeat the Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets in their IPL 2025 encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. This win marked Punjab's second victory in as many matches, while Lucknow has now lost two of their three matches. Punjab Kings began strongly after electing to field, but rescue acts by Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni, followed by an explosive cameo from Abdul Samad, helped the hosts amass a challenging 171/7 in 20 overs. 

Nicholas Pooran of the Lucknow Super Giants during an IPL 2024 match vs Punjab Kings at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.

Pooran and Badoni added 54 for the fourth wicket after Lucknow were reduced to 35/3 in the powerplay. Yuzvendra Chahal's astuteness led to Pooran's dismissal, caught by Glenn Maxwell at long-off for 44(30). Badoni (41 off 33) and Samad (27 off 12) were dismissed in the final over bowled by Arshdeep Singh, who returned with three scalps but leaked 43 runs in his four overs. Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh was packed for 0, while Aiden Markram struck four boundaries and a maximum before falling to Lockie Ferguson for 28(18).

Rishabh Pant's woes in the tournament continued unabated as the LSG captain fell cheaply for 2(5) against Maxwell. In response, Punjab lost Priyansh Arya early, who was dismissed by Digvesh Rathi for 8(9). Nevertheless, what followed was utterly unbecoming as Rathi was seen giving Priyansh an animated send-off. Prabhsimran Singh, however, maintained Punjab's ascendancy and hammered a 23-ball half-century. He, along with his captain Shreyas Iyer, added 84 off 44 balls for the second wicket, decisively swinging the match in Punjab's favor. A special effort in the outfield ultimately ended a special knock by Prabhsimran, who was dismissed for 69(34) against Digvesh Rathi.

          Prabhsimran's innings ended near the square leg fence, caught by Ravi Bishnoi, after Ayush Badoni collected the ball near the ropes but released it upon losing balance. Iyer continued his strong performance, remaining unbeaten on 52 off 30 balls, while impact substitute Nehal Wadhera added 43* off 25 balls. Punjab successfully wrapped up the chase, with 3.4 overs remaining.

        At Ekana, 14 matches have been played, with the team batting first emerging victorious 7 times and the team chasing winning 6 times. Teams that have won the toss have secured victories 8 times, while teams that have lost the toss have won 5 times. The highest team total at this venue is 235/6, achieved by the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Lucknow Super Giants in 2024, whereas the lowest score is 108 runs, recorded by LSG against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023. The highest successful run chase here is 170/4, accomplished by Delhi Capitals against LSG.

        Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer both slammed half centuries while Nehal Wadhera scored a crucial 43 as Punjab Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 8 wickets to stay unbeaten in the league.

         

 

         The Lucknow Super Giants will host the Punjab Kings at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday in their first home game of the season, after playing away matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals. Both teams are coming into this match with victories, as LSG defeated SRH in Hyderabad and PBKS narrowly beat Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

             Both teams have different captains in Rishabh Pant for LSG and Shreyas Iyer for PBKS. These two players, released from their ex-franchises, were the top two most. 

              expensive buys in the IPL 2025 auction with Pant going for Rs 27 crore while Iyer going for Rs 26.75 crore. 

              

             Prabhsimran Singh has been declared the Player of the Match for his remarkable knock of 69 runs off 34 deliveries. He venerates Ricky Ponting as a legend, appreciating his relentless focus on the positives. Prabhsimran stresses that Ponting's mindset is purely centered on winning, leaving no room for doubts or 'ifs.' The team has been encouraged to trust their natural abilities and express themselves freely. Prabhsimran also underscores the IPL's significance as a crucial platform for aspiring cricketers to achieve their ultimate dream of representing India.

   

            Shreyas Iyer, the triumphant captain of Punjab Kings, asserts that this is the kind of start they required and commends every player for contributing collectively as a cohesive unit. He notes that there is no ideal combination and states that all teams possess equal potential to emerge victorious in games, but what ultimately matters is executing the plan effectively. He expresses his preference for focusing on the present, acknowledging that past performances are relegated to history, and looks forward to the next challenge.

            Boasting formidable batting lineups, with LSG featuring Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh and PBKS featuring Iyer himself, Priyansh Arya and Glenn Maxwell, the two teams may struggle to score on the Ekana pitch, which has traditionally provided little support to batters.

              Punjab Kings won the toss and chose to field first against Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana Stadium on Tuesday. Both teams are entering the contest on the back of victories in their previous matches, but historical data suggests that the key batsmen in both squads may struggle at LSG's home ground, as Ekana Stadium boasts the lowest first innings average, the lowest run rate, and the second-lowest runs per wicket in the league over the past two years.

 

    

         What has been the key to PBKS' Priyansh Arya's successful IPL debut, which has earned him recognition from Ricky Ponting?

          It’s early stages in the 18th season of Indian Premier League, but a strong early trend that has emerged is how uncapped Indian players have made their presence felt. One of those who have caught the eye is Punjab Kings’ Priyansh Arya. The 24-year-old from Delhi came in for special praise from PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting after their side’s 11-run win in a high-scoring contest in Ahmedabad on Tuesday against Gujarat Titans.

   Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, and Abdul Samad played vital innings that enabled Lucknow Super Giants to recover from regular wicket losses, ultimately posting 171/7 against Punjab Kings. Initially, the Kings were in control, dismissing Mitchell Marsh and Rishabh Pant cheaply, with Arshdeep Singh claiming 3 wickets, but the aforementioned trio of batters helped the hosts achieve a competitive total.       

The contest has come to a close, and the Punjab Kings maintain their unbeaten streak, joining RCB and DC as the only teams yet to taste defeat this season. A clinical all-round performance enables them to climb to second place on the points table, while LSG experience their second loss in three games. The Indian Premier League now turns its attention to Bengaluru, where the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is set to host its first match of the season. A thrilling encounter is on the cards as Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on the Gujarat Titans in Match 14 on April 2, 2025. The action gets underway at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but be sure to tune in early for all the pre-match analysis. Until then, it's goodbye and see you soon!

RR vs CSK Match - 11

In their recent match in Guwahati, the Rajasthan Royals posted a competitive total of 183/9 after being asked to bat. Having experienced two consecutive defeats, the team faced significant pressure, but their batters reacted positively, especially in the Powerplay, where they scored 79/1. Although Yashasvi Jaiswal departed early, RR responded impressively, with Nitish Rana delivering a remarkable performance at number three. He forged an 82-run partnership with Sanju Samson, controlling the tempo of the scoring and attacking the bowlers with confidence.

Riyan Parag, the stand-in captain, entered at number four, seeking to forge another formidable alliance with Rana. However, Ravichandran Ashwin had other plans in mind. Leveraging his experience, he astutely bowled a wide delivery outside off after noticing Rana stepping down the track and had him stumped out. Rana exited after a scintillating 81 off a mere 36 balls, an innings characterized by elegance and aggression. Parag, setting the tone from the front, anchored the innings while RR suffered the losses of Dhruv Jurel and Wanindu Hasaranga in rapid succession at the other end, thereby slowing their momentum. RR seemed to momentarily lose their footing, slipping from a robust 124/2 to 140/5.

Shimron Hetmyer and his captain briefly partnered to finish the innings strongly, but Matheesha Pathirana's devastating blow ended Parag's gritty knock, derailing RR's innings and preventing them from surpassing 200 runs.

      The Chennai Super Kings’ bowlers, specifically the left-arm chinaman Noor Ahmad and Pathirana, deserve credit for pulling things back effectively. However, CSK’s fielding remained a concern. A couple of dropped catches and a casual approach in chasing the ball allowed RR some extra runs, something they must work on going forward.

     Noor Ahmad, the current Purple Cap holder, expresses his delight in regaining the cap and aims to keep it for the rest of the season, stressing his eagerness to contribute to the team's efforts and acknowledging the importance of a solid start.

      

      Can CSK's batting unit successfully chase down RR's competitive total, considering their recent struggles, and will RR's bowlers strike early to exert pressure? 

The run chase is about to start. RR's Jofra Archer will bowl the new ball, while CSK's Rahul Tripathi and Rachin Ravindra will open the innings.

        RAJASTHAN ROYALS RECORD THEIR MAIDEN VICTORY IN IPL 2025! A captivating cricket match culminated in the home team showcasing their mettle with the ball, leading to Chennai Super Kings' second defeat of the season. Significantly, CSK has not accomplished a successful chase of a target above 180 runs since the 2019 season, a noteworthy statistic. As a result, RR is now tied with CSK on points, with both teams having achieved one win from three games.

     The Royals had a respectable total, but RR's Jofra Archer and Wanindu Hasaranga shifted the momentum, securing wickets. Despite a late surge, Sandeep Sharma's expertise as a death bowler secured the victory.

        The Super Kings' delayed efforts likely cost them the game, with 39 runs required in the last two overs. Despite a counterattack led by Rahul Tripathi and Ruturaj Gaikwad, the team fell short.

         Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and chose to bowl. Nitish Rana's 81 off 36 balls set RR up, but CSK staged a fightback, restricting them to around 180 runs, 20 runs short of expectations.

          Chennai Super Kings' skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad attributed the team's defeat to Nitish Rana's strong Powerplay batting and their own fielding errors, which led to a 8-10 run deficit. He believed a score of 180 was attainable on the pitch.

          Ajinkya Rahane previously batted at number three to allow Rahul Tripathi to bat aggressively at the top. Rahane is satisfied batting at three, aiming to provide stability, and is optimistic about the upcoming match, highlighting positives in bowling.

            Wanindu Hasaranga says he kept things simple with the ball, bowling at the stumps and wider, and credits Ruturaj Gaikwad's wicket as the most pleasing. He praises the fielding, particularly Riyan Parag and Hetmyer's catches, and notes that RR's bowling attack played well in this game.

            Riyan Parag, Rajasthan Royals' captain, discusses their recent win. He notes that despite feeling 20 runs short, his team's early wickets and good bowling made the difference. The team had struggled with bowling in previous games, but the bowlers adapted with new plans. Parag credits their seven bowling options and Sandeep's final over for securing the win, highlighting that good fielding can make up for runs.

            Nitish Rana is the Player of the Match for his 81 off 36 balls. He says he utilized the new ball to the max, knowing the importance of the Powerplay and playing the field. Rana adds he was trying too hard in the previous games, but adjusted his game plan to bat as deep as possible.

            Rajasthan Royals ended their home leg in Guwahati with a win, leaving Mumbai Indians as the only team without a win. Mumbai Indians will try to change that in their next game against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, 31 March at 7.30 pm IST.

KKR vs MI : Match 12

       Ashwani Kumar Makes Impressive Debut As MI Outplays KKR To Claim First Success

         Mumbai Indians achieved their first success, climbing to sixth, whereas Kolkata Knight Riders slid to the bottom of the IPL rankings.

    Mumbai Indians (MI) dominated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with an eight-wicket victory, securing their first win in IPL 2025. After containing KKR to 116, MI chased 117 in 12.5 overs, driven by Ryan Rickelton's half-century and Suryakumar Yadav's rapid cameo. Ashwini Kumar, a 23-year-old pacer, made his IPL debut and took four wickets, dismissing Ajinkya Rahane with his first ball. KKR's batting struggles saw them reduced to 45/5 after seven overs, and they were unable to recover. This victory lifted Mumbai Indians to sixth place, while KKR fell to the bottom of the IPL 2025 table.  

          Kolkata Knight Riders have reached 100 runs, despite a challenging innings. Ramandeep Singh remains at the crease, and their priority is to bat out 20 overs and post a defendable total. Trent Boult returns to the attack, aiming to claim the final wicket. Rohit Sharma enters the field as an impact sub, replacing Vignesh Puthur. Ramandeep Singh has been given two reprieves, being dropped by Ashwani Kumar and benefiting from a missed run-out opportunity. He capitalizes on these chances with a six. It is crucial for him to help KKR bat out 20 overs. KKR survive Trent Boult's over, with Ramandeep Singh set to face the next over. He is currently on 16 runs off 10 balls, and a few big hits would provide a significant morale boost for KKR. Ramandeep Singh begins the next over with a six, attempts another big hit, but miscues, and is caught by Hardik Pandya at third man. Mumbai Indians have delivered an exceptional bowling performance, while the Knight Riders have displayed rash batting.

       The best figures by an Indian bowler on IPL debut! 4/24 in 3 overs for Ashwani Kumar, truly, truly special. Bowled a very good length, switched it up, showed variations and put in a superb disciplined spell.It is quite certain that Rohit Sharma will open for Mumbai Indians. But will it be Ryan Rickelton or Will Jacks alongside? Remains to be seen. Either way, this should be an easy run chase and a big NRR boost for MI.Surely KKR need to think out of the box! Hand the ball to Narine or Chakravarthy right away? They have nothing to lose either way, and might go for a gamble early on. It is Rickelton opening with Rohit.

 Spencer Johnson will start off things for Kolkata Knight Riders. No unique strategy just yet from Ajinkya Rahane. The men in purple are defending only 116, and will need a miracle to win today. Rohit Sharma to face the first ball.Oh, that nipped back in beautifully! Sharp inswinger, even seemed like it took an edge. Spencer Johnson troubling Ryan Rickelton early on, who hasn't yet got bat on ball. KKR need a couple of wickets very early on.Rickelton finally gets bat on ball in the final delivery of the over, but this is a good start by Spencer Johnson. KKR need wickets early on, and the ball seems to be swinging and providing some help to the seamers.Now Harshit Rana! Excellent inswing, passes between Rohit's bat and pad, and how has that not hit the stumps? Tantalisingly close, and the KKR pacers have some momentum early on. Important for MI to survive this phase.Harshit Rana oversteps! He's been bowling well, but MI have got the reprieve now due to the no-ball. Free-hit, Rohit on strike, full toss and he pummels it for SIX! MI were slightly under pressure, but that has helped them release it.Finally, Ryan Rickelton is able to get some runs off Spencer Johnson. Pitched fuller and on the stumps, Rickelton whacks and it goes towards fine-leg for 4. Next ball, pitched short, top edge but still goes for 6!KKR have failed to get the early wickets that they desperately needed. 13 comes off Spencer Johnson's second over, even though he is bowling well. Luck also going MI's way in these early overs. Harshit Rana giving up a bit of an LBW worry on the first ball, but Rickelton gives a sharp answer back! Cracks it down the ground for a boundary on the second ball. Third one, hooked for 6! Second tier of the Wankhede!Ryan Rickelton is on a roll now. Low full toss and slapped past mid-off for the third boundary off the over. Harshit Rana losing his line and length, and Rickelton taking full advantage. Mumbai Indians are now going at 10.50 runs per over.Ryan Rickelton is into the 40s! Huge six off Sunil Narine. Picked it up beautifully, clears the ropes for a humongous maximum. Over mid-wicket. Terrific sound off the bat.Will Jacks survives. Good appeal, worth a DRS review by KKR, as Sunil Narine traps Jacks on the pads. Umpire's original call was not out, and that's how it stays after hawkeye. Mumbai Indians just 47 runs away from victory.Top over by Chakravarthy, but the Mumbai Indians batters are clearly playing it safe against the mystery spinner. Only 3 runs come off it, but MI have no need to take any unnecessary risks against KKR's best bowlers.50 for Ryan Rickelton! Had to survive a tricky opening phase when Spencer Johnson was looking good, but once he got some shots away, he's looked excellent. Gets to his half-century with a maximum off Narine. It isn't Sunil Narine's day at all. Duck with the bat, and unusually going for a lot of runs with the ball. KKR are heading towards a big defeat, and Mumbai Indians have everything under control. Just 28 more runs needed. Typical Suryakumar Yadav! Uses all the pace of Andre Russell's delivery, and effortlessly scoops it over fine leg. It is the classic shot. Mumbai Indians now nearing the 100-run mark, they're only 20 runs away from victory.Suryakumar Yadav takes Mumbai Indians past 100! Beautifully timed sweep shot, played to perfection by one of the best T20 batters of this generation. Mumbai Indians will turn their NRR from -0.9 all the way to positive today!Suryakumar Yadav pummels Andre Russell for another two boundaries. Picks out the gap at mid-wicket first, and then upper cuts it for another 4 through third man. Completes 8,000 runs in T20 cricket!Mumbai Indians beat Kolkata Knight Riders! A comprehensive eight-wicket victory, brought up by a classic Suryakumar Yadav six. That man is back in form, 27 off 9 balls! Ryan Rickelton stays unbeaten on 61 as well.Mumbai Indians came back home, Mumbai Indians register a big win. Terrific victory, led by one of the most special debuts in IPL history. Ashwani Kumar, 4 wickets, the best figures by an Indian on IPL debut. Great showing by Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar with the ball as well, as KKR succumbed to their rashness.

        Ashwani Kumar : Read More About him