Sunrisers Hyderabad knock Lucknow Super Giants out of playoff contention with a clinical 6-wicket chase, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s fireworks and Klaasen’s composure.
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), May 20 — In a high-stakes encounter at the Ekana Stadium, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) showcased their explosive batting depth, chasing down a formidable 206-run target to seal a comprehensive six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and effectively knock them out of the playoff race in IPL 2025.
Abhishek Sharma (59 off 20) and Heinrich Klaasen (47 off 28) were the architects of SRH’s dominant chase, dismantling LSG’s bowling attack with aggressive, fearless cricket. The duo ensured SRH remained in the hunt, while LSG, with just five wins and seven losses, bowed out of the tournament.
SRH’s Blazing Chase:
Chasing 206, SRH got off to a quick start, despite losing Atharva Taide early for 13, courtesy of Will O’Rourke’s maiden IPL wicket. But the dismissal only paved the way for a fireworks show from Abhishek Sharma. The young opener launched an all-out assault, smashing four boundaries and six sixes en route to his blistering 20-ball 59. He brought up his fifty in just 18 balls and even took Ravi Bishnoi for four consecutive sixes in one over.
Abhishek eventually fell to Digvesh Rathi in the 8th over, but SRH already had 99 on the board. Ishan Kishan (35 off 28) anchored the innings before also falling to Rathi. Klaasen then stepped up and, in partnership with Kamindu Mendis (27*), kept the momentum going. Klaasen narrowly missed his half-century, dismissed for 47 just before the finish line.
SRH wrapped up the chase in just 18.2 overs, finishing at 206/4 with Aniket Verma and Nitish Reddy at the crease. Digvesh Rathi (2/37) was the lone bright spot in LSG’s bowling unit.
LSG’s Power-Packed Innings:
Earlier in the day, LSG had posted a strong 205/7 after being put to bat first. The opening duo of Mitchell Marsh (65 off 36) and Aiden Markram (61 off 35) put on a dominant 115-run stand. Marsh lit up the powerplay with powerful strokes, while Markram punished SRH’s missed chances after being dropped early.
After their dismissals, Nicholas Pooran (45 off 26) added finishing touches to the innings. However, a flurry of wickets in the death overs—including Pooran’s run out—halted LSG from breaching the 210-mark. Akash Deep, Eshan Malinga, and Nitish Reddy chipped in with wickets, with Malinga returning 2/28.
Despite the strong total, LSG’s bowlers had no answers for SRH’s aggressive chase.
What This Means for the Teams:
With this result, LSG are officially out of playoff contention, sitting at just 10 points after 12 games. Meanwhile, SRH now have nine points and remain mathematically alive in the tournament, though their qualification will depend on the results of other fixtures and net run rate.
Brief Scores:
LSG: 205/7 (Mitchell Marsh 65, Aiden Markram 61, Nicholas Pooran 45; Eshan Malinga 2/28)
SRH: 206/4 in 18.2 overs (Abhishek Sharma 59, Heinrich Klaasen 47; Digvesh Rathi 2/37)
Result: SRH won by 6 wickets