Lucknow Super Giants Triumph Over Gujarat Titans

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Lucknow Super Giants Triumph Over Gujarat Titans in High-Scoring IPL 2025 Clash

In a thrilling encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 22, 2025, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) delivered a commanding performance to defeat Gujarat Titans (GT) by 33 runs in the 64th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Powered by a sensational maiden IPL century from Mitchell Marsh and a fiery bowling effort led by Will O’Rourke, LSG posted a formidable 235 for 2 and restricted GT to 202 for 9, securing a consolation victory despite being out of the playoff race.

Marsh and Pooran Set the Stage

After GT captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl on a batting-friendly black-soil pitch, LSG’s top order capitalized with an explosive display. Mitchell Marsh, opening the innings, played a match-defining knock of 117 runs off 64 balls, including a blend of powerful drives and towering sixes. His 121-run partnership with Nicholas Pooran for the second wicket set a new LSG record for the highest second-wicket stand in the IPL, surpassing the previous mark of 116 between the same pair. Pooran complemented Marsh with an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, peppering the boundary with four sixes, while Aiden Markram chipped in with a steady 36 off 24. LSG’s innings concluded at an imposing 235 for 2, setting a daunting target for GT.

GT’s Top Order Falters Early

Chasing 236, GT faced early setbacks, losing their in-form trio of Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler within the first 9.3 overs—the earliest they’ve lost their top three in IPL 2025. This collapse put GT on the back foot, as LSG’s bowlers, led by Will O’Rourke’s 3 for 27, maintained relentless pressure. Despite the early blows, GT’s middle order showed resilience, with Sherfane Rutherford (38) and M Shahrukh Khan (57) stitching together a rapid 86-run partnership off just 40 balls for the fourth wicket. Their aggressive counterattack kept GT in the hunt, reducing the equation to 54 runs needed off the final four overs with six wickets in hand.

Akash Singh signs Digvesh’s proxy 🖋📓

🎥 A clever slower one from the #LSG pacer to outfox Jos Buttler 🤌

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LSG’s Bowlers Seal the Deal

However, LSG’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback in the death overs. Ayush Badoni, with an economical 2 for 4, and O’Rourke’s disciplined bowling ensured GT couldn’t maintain the required run rate. The dismissal of Rutherford and Shahrukh triggered a collapse, with GT losing momentum and finishing at 202 for 9. Ravi Bishnoi, despite a challenging season with an economy rate of 10.83, contributed with key overs, while Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan supported the attack. LSG’s strategic use of Impact Player Akash Singh further bolstered their bowling effort in the crucial final overs.

Playoff Implications and Player Performances

For GT, the loss meant they missed an opportunity to secure a top-two finish, though they remain in a strong position for the playoffs with one league game remaining. Shubman Gill, reflecting on the match, emphasized the importance of momentum heading into the playoffs, stating, “Leading into the playoffs, we want momentum on our side.” Meanwhile, LSG captain Rishabh Pant expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting, “We talk about playing good cricket, we’ve shown on occasion we can do that.” Mitchell Marsh, named Player of the Match, credited his opening role and partnership with Markram for his success, saying, “Being given the opportunity to open, the partnership with Markram has helped me.”

Middle-Order Resilience Shines for GT

Despite the defeat, GT’s middle order, particularly Rutherford and Shahrukh, showcased their potential, offering hope for the playoffs. Rutherford’s IPL 2025 campaign has been his best yet, with an average of 38.16 and a strike rate of 159.02, signaling his growing importance, especially with Jos Buttler set to depart for national duties.

Looking Ahead

While LSG’s victory was a morale booster, their focus shifts to experimenting with combinations for the next season, as they are out of playoff contention. For GT, the loss serves as a reminder of the need for their middle order to step up in high-pressure chases, especially as they aim to replicate their top-two finishes from 2022 and 2023. With one league match left against Chennai Super Kings, GT will look to regroup and secure a favorable playoff position.