IPL 2025: How 'flawless' moves helped Rishabh Pant's LSG tame Abhishek Sharma & Travis Head-powered SRH

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson credited Lucknow Super Giants’ disciplined execution for their five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He described LSG’s bowling strategy as “flawless” in restricting SRH to a total that fell short of what was needed on a batting-friendly surface.

LSG’s bowlers focused on attacking the stumps, landing yorkers, and avoiding deliveries in the hitting arc of SRH’s power-hitters. The approach worked as Hyderabad could only manage 190/9—an effort that appeared competitive but ultimately proved inadequate.

"I think it's one of the toughest assignments—to go to Hyderabad and take on SRH. But LSG was extremely well-prepared. They had the courage to execute their plan immediately. They bowled full and straight, actually, fuller than full—targeting the yorker length and occasionally missing on either side," Williamson said on JioHotstar.


"But in doing so, they limited SRH's scoring options, preventing them from dictating the game or throwing the opposition off their lengths and lines. Hats off to the leadership for the planning and thought process that went into it. The execution was flawless, which helped restrict SRH to what was perhaps an under-par total," he added.

Shardul Thakur was instrumental in LSG’s success with the ball. Left unsold in the IPL 2025 auction after setting a base price of ₹2 crore, the seamer had been preparing for his stint with Essex in the County Championship. However, injuries in the LSG camp led to his late inclusion, and since then, he has been the side’s most reliable new-ball bowler.

On Thursday, the 33-year-old dismissed Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan in his first over, denting SRH’s start. He returned in the death overs to wrap up the tail, finishing with 4/34 and overtaking Noor Ahmad to claim the purple cap with six wickets.

"A fantastic last-minute addition for LSG, Shardul is an experienced international player, and opening the bowling against SRH in Hyderabad is no easy task. But he came in with a solid plan, aligned with the team's strategy, and executed it brilliantly," Williamson said.

"They bowled with variety, kept it really full, and brought in all possible modes of dismissal. It was a highly effective approach, and he did a fantastic job. Being named Man of the Match was well-deserved for such a special performance," he added.

Chasing 191, Nicholas Pooran’s blistering 70 ensured LSG crossed the finish line comfortably, sealing a five-wicket win in Hyderabad.