The IPL 2025 caravan rolled into Lucknow on April 1, 2025, for Match 13, pitting the Punjab Kings (PBKS) against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. What unfolded was a masterclass in aggressive batting and disciplined bowling from PBKS, as they steamrolled LSG by 8 wickets with 22 balls to spare, climbing to second on the points table.
Toss and Early Blows
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first on a red-soil pitch known for its bowler-friendly nature. The decision paid off early as Arshdeep Singh struck gold in the very first over, dismissing Mitchell Marsh for a duck. LSG stumbled to 39/3 by the end of the powerplay, with Lockie Ferguson and Glenn Maxwell joining the party to remove Aiden Markram and Rishabh Pant cheaply. At this stage, it looked like PBKS would wrap things up quickly.
LSG Fight Back
However, Nicholas Pooran (44 off 30) and Ayush Badoni (41 off 33) had other plans. The duo stitched together a crucial 54-run partnership, steadying the ship on a tricky, two-paced surface. Just when LSG seemed to regain momentum, Abdul Samad’s late cameo (27 off 12, including two fours and two sixes) injected life into the innings. His audacious reverse-scoop off Arshdeep in the 18th over was a highlight, helping LSG post a competitive 171/7 in 20 overs. Arshdeep finished with an impressive 3/43, but LSG’s lower order ensured it wouldn’t be a walk in the park for PBKS.
Prabhsimran’s Explosive Start
Chasing 172, PBKS came out swinging. Opener Prabhsimran Singh unleashed pure carnage, smashing 69 off just 34 balls. His 23-ball fifty set the tone, plundering 45 of the 62 runs PBKS scored in the powerplay. LSG’s bowlers, including Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan, had no answers as Prabhsimran’s onslaught left the home crowd stunned. He eventually fell to a brilliant tag-team catch by Badoni and Bishnoi, but the damage was done—PBKS needed just 62 off 59 balls with 8 wickets in hand.
Iyer and Wadhera Seal the Deal
Captain Shreyas Iyer (52* off 30) and Nehal Wadhera (43* off 25) took over, ensuring no hiccups in the chase. Iyer’s composure and Wadhera’s flair—highlighted by back-to-back sixes off Shardul Thakur—turned the game into a formality. Iyer sealed the victory in style with a six off Abdul Samad, finishing the chase in 16.2 overs. PBKS’s dominance was evident in their run rate and control, losing only two wickets in the process.
Key Takeaways
- PBKS’s Bowling Precision: Arshdeep Singh’s early strikes and an economy rate of 8.2 from their pacers outshone LSG’s 10.9, setting the stage for the win.
- Prabhsimran’s Game-Changer: His explosive knock flipped the script, making a challenging chase look effortless.
- LSG’s Struggles: Despite a fighting total, LSG’s top order faltered, and their bowlers lacked penetration after the powerplay.
What’s Next?
PBKS are now 2-0 in IPL 2025, flexing their muscles as early pace-setters alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. They’ll head home to Mullanpur to face Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings next. LSG, with two losses in three games, need to regroup quickly as they host Mumbai Indians on April 4.
This match was a statement from Punjab Kings—clinical, aggressive, and unstoppable. For LSG, it’s back to the drawing board as the Ekana faithful hope for a stronger showing in their next outing.
