IPL 2025: PBKS vs LSG Preview, Prediction, Starting XI and Where To Watch The Match LIVE

Punjab Kings (PBKS) face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match No. 54 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 4.

PBKS vs LSG: Preview

With over fifty games played, two teams have already exited IPL 2025, and one teeters on the edge of elimination. Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), currently placed fourth and sixth respectively, remain firmly in the playoff race and aim to strengthen their chances on Sunday.

Shreyas Iyer, drenched in sweat, appeared for the post-match presentation in hot and humid Chennai after the victory over Chennai Super Kings. As the action shifts to Dharamsala—PBKS’ second home ground—players look forward to some relief from the heat. PBKS held their pre-season camp at this very venue, where head coach Ricky Ponting stressed the importance of getting an early “feel of the ground.” PBKS will play their next three matches in Dharamsala, and winning all three could secure them a top-two finish.

Punjab Kings enter this phase of the tournament in a stronger position. After a loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and a washout at Eden Gardens, they bounced back with a crucial victory over Chennai Super Kings, moving to 13 points from 10 matches. That win has given them a slight advantage in a tightly contested mid-table. As the race for the top four—and more importantly, a top-two finish—heats up, PBKS aim to stay ahead by making the right moves to solidify their playoff chances.

Though LSG haven’t reached a critical point yet, another defeat could seriously hurt their playoff hopes, especially with a four-point gap already separating them from the top three. They’ve lost three of their last four games—a stretch that has aligned with Pooran’s slump in form. The team enters this clash fresh off a six-day break, with a few players arriving in Dharamsala early in a bid to spark a much-needed turnaround.

PBKS – Key Players and Performance

PBKS’ Indian core—especially top-order batters Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, and Shreyas Iyer—has carried much of the batting load, exposing a glaring weakness in the middle order, which currently holds the second-worst strike-rate among all ten teams. The team has also rotated through five different players in the No. 4 position across ten matches, struggling to find stability.

Heading into this season, Punjab Kings carried a shaky home record, and a 2-2 outcome in Mullanpur did little to change that perception. Now, they shift base to Dharamsala, where their track record remains unimpressive—just five wins in 13 matches, including four losses since 2023. Their last win at the HPCA Stadium dates back to 2013. With three fixtures scheduled at this venue, PBKS aim to rewrite the script, beginning with an evening showdown against a struggling Lucknow Super Giants side still trying to find their rhythm.

PBKS struggled against spin in their loss to RCB, but their batting has looked far more assured since then. They posted 201 in the rain-hit fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders and chased down 191 against CSK with confidence. Their top three have delivered consistently during this stretch, bringing much-needed stability to the batting order. In the bowling department, Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen have stepped up in Lockie Ferguson’s absence, while Yuzvendra Chahal has rediscovered his form—his hat-trick against CSK at the death provided a timely lift to the attack.

Despite their inconsistencies, PBKS have maintained a blazing strike rate of 180.13—the highest by any team in a single IPL season—showcasing their aggressive batting blueprint.

LSG – Key Players and Performance

LSG’s top order has performed impressively this season, but their dependence on it continues to raise concerns. The middle order hasn’t lived up to expectations, and Rishabh Pant’s struggles have only deepened the issue. When Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, or Nicholas Pooran fail to deliver, the middle order rarely picks up the slack. Mayank Yadav’s return has boosted their bowling unit, although he failed to make a mark against Mumbai Indians. Digvesh Rathi has shown adaptability across different phases, and Avesh Khan has impressed in bursts. Still, opposition batters have exploited the rest of the attack, with only Rathi and Markram maintaining economy rates below nine.

LSG face a similar issue with their batting structure—they remain heavily top-loaded, but their dependency leans more towards their overseas stars. Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran have collectively contributed 62.79% of the team’s total runs this season. While Rishabh Pant initially dropped as low as No. 7 against Delhi Capitals, he later returned to the No. 4 slot but continues to search for form.

Digvesh Rathi has emerged as a standout performer for LSG in the middle overs. Among bowlers who have delivered a minimum of 10 overs in this phase, Rathi boasts the best economy rate—just 6.42—and has also claimed five wickets, underlining his control and effectiveness.

Nicholas Pooran, on the other hand, has seen a sharp dip in form. In his first six matches of IPL 2025, he racked up 349 runs at an outstanding average of 69.8 and a blistering strike rate of 215.43, including four half-centuries. However, in the last four games, he has managed just 55 runs at an average of 13.75, with a highest score of 27 and a strike rate that has dropped to 148.64.

Key Matchups and Strategy

PBKS spearhead pacer Arshdeep Singh could be key against LSG’s openers: he has dismissed Aiden Markram four times in 13 meetings and has got Marsh out twice in four meetings.

While PBKS opener Priyansh Arya has been a force while batting first—scoring 299 runs at an average of 49.8 and strike rate of 214—he’s not been able to get going in chases, making just 47 runs in four games at an average of 11.8.

Irrespective of his inconsistent form, captain Shreyas Iyer will be happy to return to Dharamsala, a venue where he scored 73* and 74* in his last two games in 2022.

After the win in Chennai, Ricky Ponting suggested that PBKS might tweak their combination depending on the conditions in Dharamsala. If there’s swing and seam movement on offer, they might be tempted to recall Xavier Bartlett.

After an erratic start and a brief resurgence with three consecutive wins, LSG have faltered once again, losing three of their last four games. This poor run has dragged them down the standings and left them with minimal margin for error. With four matches remaining, they must rack up as many wins as possible to stay in the playoff race.

PBKS vs LSG: Recent Form

Punjab Kings WLWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Lucknow Super Giants LLWLW

PBKS vs LSG: Head-to-Head

LSG have batted first in each of these five matches, with PBKS leading 2-3.

• Matches Played: 05
• Won by Punjab Kings: 02
• Won by Lucknow Super Giants: 03
• Tied: 00
• No Result: 00
• First-ever Fixture: April 29, 2022
• Most-recent Fixture: April 1, 2025

PBKS vs LSG: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

The average first-innings score in Dharamsala for the last four IPL games since 2023 stands at 201. Teams have chosen to bowl first in all four games, with only one of them securing a win. Light showers are expected during the day, but the evening temperature is predicted to be around 16 degrees Celsius.

In three out of the four IPL matches held in Dharamsala since 2023, the team batting first emerged victorious. The pitch has generally provided good pace and bounce, and two of the games saw first-innings totals above 200—213 by Delhi Capitals in 2023 and 241 by RCB in 2024, the latter being the highest score in the most recent T20 played at the HPCA Stadium. While some rain is expected in the morning and early afternoon, conditions are expected to improve closer to match time.

Punjab Kings s Lucknow Super Giants: Team News and Predicted XI

PBKS – Team News

Apart from Ferguson’s absence, PBKS currently have no injury concerns. They may consider bringing in Xavier Bartlett for Harpreet Brar, as pacers have had better support in Dharamsala. With Glenn Maxwell out for the remainder of IPL 2025 due to injury, PBKS played with only three overseas players—Marco Jansen, Azmat Omarzai, and Josh Inglis—against CSK, opting to bring in uncapped Suryansh Shedge and leaving Marcus Stoinis out. Shedge gave away 40 runs in his three overs and was dismissed for 1 off 3 in the chase. If conditions favour swing, PBKS might call back Bartlett, a new-ball specialist.

Yuzvendra Chahal has claimed 10 wickets against right-handers this season, conceding 108 runs off 92 balls. However, he has struggled against left-handers, giving up 166 runs in 82 balls for just three wickets. He has been expensive against Pooran, David Miller, and Pant but has dismissed them a combined eight times. On the other hand, Arshdeep has a strong match-up against Markram, dismissing him four times in 13 T20 innings, and has also removed Marsh twice in three IPL innings.

PBKS – Predicted XI

1. Priyansh Arya
2. Prabhsimran Singh
3. Shreyas Iyer (capt)
4. Nehal Wadhera
5. Shashank Singh
6. Josh Inglis (wk)
7. Marco Jansen
8. Suryansh Shedge
9. Azmatullah Omarzai
10. Harpreet Brar/Xavier Bartlett
11. Yuzvendra Chahal
12. Arshdeep Singh

LSG – Team News

LSG have no injuries to report and may stick with the same lineup. Fast bowler Mayank Yadav made his return to the team against Mumbai Indians after a long injury layoff, replacing Shardul Thakur. He delivered eight slower balls at Wankhede, the most he’s bowled in a single T20 match, finishing with figures of 2 for 40. LSG mentor Zaheer Khan mentioned that they would manage his workload, but the long break after the last game will benefit Mayank.

LSG’s batters may look to target Arshdeep, who has struggled in Dharamsala, with an economy of 11.07 in four matches and just four wickets. Rathi could also be deployed early with the ball, as he was successful in the previous encounter, dismissing the openers and finishing with figures of 2 for 30 in 4 overs, while the rest of the LSG bowlers went for runs.

LSG – Predicted XI

1. Aiden Markram
2. Mitchell Marsh
3. Nicholas Pooran
4. Rishabh Pant (capt & wk)
5. Ayush Badoni
6. David Miller
7. Abdul Samad
8. Mayank Yadav
9. Ravi Bishnoi
10. Digvesh Rathi
11. Avesh Khan
12. Prince Yadav

PBKS vs LSG: Players To Watch Out For

Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS)

Yuzvendra Chahal’s IPL has been a tale of two halves. After taking only two wickets in his first five matches at an economy rate of 11.1, he has made a remarkable turnaround, claiming 11 wickets in the last four matches at an economy rate of 7.6. In the last match, he was kept out after bowling two overs in the first ten overs against CSK’s left-hander-heavy lineup, but he was brought back to bowl the 19th over. He took four wickets, including a hat-trick, and crushed CSK’s hopes of scoring more than 200. Chahal will play a crucial role against the LSG lineup, having dismissed Pooran twice in seven innings and Pant three times in 13 innings, with both batters striking at less than 145 against him.

Nicholas Pooran (LSG)

Nicholas Pooran had an explosive start to the season, scoring four fifties in six games, but his performances have dipped in the last four matches. He has been dominant against spin, striking at 264, while his teammates have struggled with a combined strike rate of just 127. However, he has been dismissed by fast bowlers in his last four games, including three times by deliveries angled in and once by Mitchell Starc’s slower short ball. LSG’s playoff hopes depend heavily on Pooran, whose form has been pivotal in nearly all of LSG’s victories this season.

PBKS vs LSG: Prediction

Scenario 1

• Toss: Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl first
• Powerplay Score: 55-65
• Lucknow Super Giants Total: 180-190
• Match Result: Punjab Kings win the match

Scenario 2

• Toss: Lucknow Super Giants win the toss and bowl first
• Powerplay Score: 60-70
• Punjab Kings Total: 180-190
• Match Result: Lucknow Super Giants win the match

When and Where To Watch Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details

The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Sunday, May 4, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.

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