Depleted LSG Look to Make Happier Memories in Hyderabad

When: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants, Match 7, IPL 2025, March 27, 07:30 PM IST
Where: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

Key Context

• LSG and KL Rahul's split after two playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023 may have started here, where Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma chased down 165 in 9.4 overs last May.
• LSG's rebuild ahead of the mega auction provided a fresh start, but they still face bowling injuries and inconsistencies.

Match Preview

• Venue dynamics: Flat pitches in Hyderabad favor high-scoring games.
• LSG's challenge: Their top order can compete, but they must avoid late-innings collapses like their 48/6 in the last 7 overs against DC in Vizag.
• SRH's strength: A potent top order and a bowling attack that can exploit flat tracks.

Head-to-Head

• Overall: SRH 1 – 3 LSG
• In Hyderabad: 1 win each in 2 previous meetings.
• Last season highlight: SRH chased 166 in the first half of their innings with all 10 wickets intact.

Tactics & Match-Ups

SRH Focus

• Nicholas Pooran vs Adam Zampa: Pooran has struggled against Zampa this season, scoring just 38 runs in 36 balls with 2 dismissals.
• Mitchell Marsh: SRH must avoid bowling short to Marsh, who punished DC with a 72-ball 72 in Vizag.

LSG Strategy

• Shardul Thakur's role: He has been effective against Abhishek Sharma, dismissing him twice in 14 deliveries.
• Spin challenge: LSG's new leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi faces a tough test against SRH's spin-friendly lineup.

Probable Teams

Sunrisers Hyderabad

• Batsmen: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
• Bowlers: Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Adam Zampa, Mohammed Shami, Simarjeet Singh

Lucknow Super Giants

• Batsmen: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (c & wk)
• Bowlers: David Miller, Shardul Thakur, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Digvesh Rathi

Key Stats

• Average first innings total in Hyderabad since 2024: 216
• Nicholas Pooran vs Abhishek Sharma: 5 sixes in 7 balls faced

Quotes

• SRH Bowling Coach James Franklin:
  "I'd never say never. I think we ran it pretty close the other day ourselves and I think we've seen already in a couple of other games that 230, 240 is being achieved. So yeah, why not?"

• Mitchell Marsh:
  "I haven't had the greatest of luck with injuries in the April, May months of the year in the past but I've certainly come here after a bit of a break, I've had a few months to get my back right and I come here really fresh mentally and physically so hopefully that holds me in good stead for the tournament."

Injury Updates

• SRH: No injury concerns. Likely to stick with the same squad.
• LSG: Avesh Khan returns after recovering from injury. Akash Deep and Mayank Yadav remain sidelined.

Key to the Match

• Can LSG's revamped bowling attack handle SRH's explosive top order?
• Will Pooran's struggles against Zampa impact LSG's plans?
• How will LSG's spin attack fare against SRH's spin-smashers?

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