Hyderabad contain Lucknow to 205 despite flying start by openers

Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram’s explosive half-centuries set the stage, but Sunrisers Hyderabad clawed back admirably to restrict Lucknow Super Giants to 205/7 in their IPL 2025 clash at the Ekana Stadium on Monday.

Marsh (65 off 39) and Markram (61 off 38) delivered a clinical assault in the powerplay, powering LSG to 69 without loss in the first six overs. Their strokeplay was of the highest quality, with Marsh setting the tone early by launching Pat Cummins over midwicket for a six. Markram, meanwhile, targeted debutant Harsh Dubey with precision, lofting the left-arm spinner down the ground for a maximum in only the second over of the innings.

Introduced into the attack early, Dubey, who emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the latest Ranji Trophy season, was targeted by both openers. Marsh showcased intent by clearing his front leg and dispatching Dubey for a six over long-on in the bowler’s first over. Markram followed suit with another authoritative hit down the ground in Dubey’s next over.

Markram received a reprieve in the ninth over after being dropped, an error that proved costly for the Sunrisers as the opening pair went on to stitch together a century stand. However, SRH struck back in the 11th over when Dubey had Marsh caught at short third man, claiming his maiden IPL wicket in the process.

That breakthrough brought Rishabh Pant (7 off 6) to the crease, who once again shuffled his batting position, this time promoting himself to No. 3 ahead of Nicholas Pooran. Despite the opportunity to build on the strong platform, the LSG captain’s poor run continued as he struggled to settle before falling to a slower yorker from pacer Eshan Malinga, caught and bowled in disappointing fashion.

The momentum shifted in Hyderabad’s favour during the middle overs, where LSG could only muster 38 runs for the loss of two wickets between overs 11 and 15. The Sunrisers’ bowlers executed tight lines and lengths, choking the flow of runs during a crucial phase.

Pooran (45 off 26) injected some late impetus into the innings but didn’t quite find his usual rhythm with the long ball, managing to help LSG breach the 200-run mark. The finishing touches came in a mixed final over, where Nitish Reddy, bowling for the first time this season, was handed the responsibility and leaked 20 runs.Despite the flying start, LSG’s innings ended with a sense of underachievement as SRH’s disciplined bowling effort pulled them back into the contest.

This article first appeared on Mid Day