The 13th match of IPL 2025 will feature a clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). The game is scheduled to be held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on April 1, starting at 7:30 PM (IST).
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Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings: Preview
In their opening match of IPL 2025, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a daunting total of 286/6. The focus was on their showdown with Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) relatively inexperienced bowling attack, with many speculating they could reach 300. However, LSG’s superb death bowling kept them from achieving that milestone. Punjab Kings (PBKS), in their season debut, scored 243/5, the second-highest total of the season. Now, they too face LSG.
LSG allrounder Shardul Thakur has consistently advocated for pitches that favor bowlers, and he will likely be pleased to play at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, considered one of the most bowler-friendly venues in the IPL. However, LSG’s home advantage isn’t as strong as it seems, with a mixed record at this ground. Meanwhile, the in-form Nicholas Pooran, despite three seasons with the franchise, has struggled here, averaging below 25 and with a highest score of 42 in 14 matches.
Shardul Thakur didn’t hold back when discussing the growing disparity between bat and ball in the IPL. “All the bowlers are asking for is a pitch that maintains a balance in the game, rather than one that heavily favors the batters and lets them just smash us,” said the all-rounder ahead of Lucknow Super Giants’ first home game of the season. “What we really want is a fair chance and opportunity in the game.”
In this regard, Thakur will be pleased to play seven home matches this season at a venue that, over the past two IPL editions, has recorded the lowest first-innings average (165), the lowest run rate (8.17), and the second-lowest runs per wicket (24.53) among all 14 venues.
To be fair, Lucknow as a city has very little to complain about, except perhaps for batters. The sometimes challenging and often inconsistent pitches here have prevented LSG’s batters from fully dominating, despite their capability. With only seven wins from 13 completed home matches, there’s significant room for improvement—something LSG will aim to address, especially with five of their next seven matches set in Lucknow.
Marcus Stoinis, who was LSG’s third-highest run-scorer during his three years with the franchise, will face his former team on Tuesday. He’ll be eager to find form quickly with his new franchise, PBKS, who secured him for INR 11 crore at the auction.
Another former LSG player in PBKS’ squad is fast bowler Yash Thakur. However, it’s unlikely that he will feature in Tuesday’s match.
Vyshak, PBKS’ death bowler, played a key role in ensuring GT couldn’t chase down 244 in their match. However, he is the only player who could be replaced to accommodate an extra spin option. The question remains whether PBKS will stick with the seamer who successfully kept GT’s left-handed batters in check with wide yorkers, especially considering the challenge of facing Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant, or if they will adjust according to the conditions.
Since 2004, Pooran is the only batter in T20s to score over 500 runs at No. 3 with an average exceeding 45 and a strike rate above 160. He has also hit the most sixes (200) in T20s during this period, with Heinrich Klaasen being his closest rival at 121. Pooran’s 49 sixes in the IPL are the most by any batter.
Meanwhile, David Miller is just 36 runs shy of reaching 3000 IPL runs.
What could make things even more challenging for LSG, aside from reading the pitch, is the opposition they will face right from the start. Recently, Punjab Kings have excelled in most venues outside Mohali and Mullanpur, and they come to Lucknow following a memorable win in Ahmedabad. That night, Shreyas Iyer played a true captain’s knock, dominating both spin and pace while dismissing any notion of chasing a maiden IPL hundred at the cost of his team’s victory.
However, Iyer’s innings, Shashank Singh’s explosive finish, and Vijaykumar Vyshak’s match-changing yorker spell already seem distant, as PBKS has had a week-long break since that victory. Fast bowling coach James Hopes believes this gap has allowed them time to prepare for the “spin-heavy” challenge in Lucknow, but how the extended break will impact their performance in the middle is still uncertain.
Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings: Head-to-head
LSG leads PBKS 3-1 in their head-to-head record. In their previous encounter in Lucknow, which was also LSG’s first home game of the season, the hosts secured a 21-run victory, with pace sensation Mayank Yadav earning the Player of the Match award.
- Matches Played: 4
- Won by Lucknow Super Giants: 3
- Won by Punjab Kings: 1
- No Result: 0
- Previous Result: LSG defeated PBKS by 21 runs in 2024
- First Faceoff: LSG defeated PBKS by 20 runs in 2022
Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The match will take place on a red-soil pitch with significant grass cover, providing assistance to the seamers. With an average first-innings score of 169 in T20s since 2023, a high-scoring contest is unlikely.
Notably, the pitch isn’t centrally aligned on the square, making it challenging for bowlers to defend the shorter boundary. However, given that this is one of the largest grounds in India, bowlers might find some respite despite the aggressive batting approach seen in the Impact Player era.
In the days leading up to the match, dew has been minimal, and similar conditions are expected. The weather is predicted to be clear.
Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings: Team News and Predicted XI
Lucknow Super Giants – Team News
With PBKS’ batting lineup heavily loaded with right-handers, LSG might consider bringing in a left-arm spinner like Shahbaz Ahmed or M Siddharth in place of Abdul Samad. Another option could be swapping Aiden Markram for his compatriot Matthew Breetzke to strengthen the top order, but Breetzke’s recent form remains a concern, as he hasn’t registered a half-century in his last ten T20 innings.
Meanwhile, Akash Deep appears to be progressing well from his back injury. A week ago, head coach Justin Langer rated his fitness at 90 percent, but on match eve, Shahbaz Ahmed remained non-committal about his availability. All signs suggest that Akash Deep is unlikely to feature against PBKS.
A key battle to watch will be Yuzvendra Chahal’s performance against Nicholas Pooran. Chahal has struggled against left-handers since last season, but the large boundary dimensions at this venue could work in his favor. Pooran, too, hasn’t found this ground particularly favorable, with his strike rate here dipping to 128 over the last couple of seasons—significantly lower than his overall numbers.
Lucknow Super Giants – Predicted XI
- Aiden Markram
- Mitchell Marsh
- Nicholas Pooran
- Rishabh Pant (capt, wk)
- Ayush Badoni
- David Miller
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Shardul Thakur
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Prince Yadav
- Avesh Khan
- Digvesh Rathi
Punjab Kings – Team News
With the Ekana Cricket Stadium typically favoring spinners, PBKS might consider adding another slow bowler, such as Harpreet Brar, to complement Yuzvendra Chahal and Glenn Maxwell. This could come at the expense of Vijaykumar Vyshak, who impressed with his death bowling after being introduced as an Impact Player against Gujarat Titans. PBKS, however, have a fully available squad to choose from.
Lockie Ferguson could be a valuable addition, given his strong record against two key LSG batters—Nicholas Pooran (20 runs off 17 balls, dismissed 4 times) and Rishabh Pant (37 runs off 36 balls, dismissed 3 times). If selected, he may replace Amatullah Omarzai in the lineup.
Punjab Kings – Predicted XI
- Priyansh Arya
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (capt)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marcus Stoinis
- Shashank Singh
- Suryansh Shedge
- Marco Jansen
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Vijaykumar Vyshak/Harpreet Brar
Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings: Players To Watch Out For
Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)
After becoming the most expensive player in IPL history, Rishabh Pant has endured a tough start to his LSG tenure.
A six-ball duck in his debut match, followed by a run-a-ball 15, has put him under scrutiny. His challenge is set to continue in Lucknow, where the conditions typically favor bowlers.
Glenn Maxwell (Punjab Kings)
Glenn Maxwell’s third stint with PBKS began on a disappointing note with a golden duck against GT.
However, he boasts a strong record against Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi and will be eager to capitalize on these favorable matchups.
Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 60 to 70 for the loss of a wicket
- Lucknow Super Giants Total: 175 to 185
- Match Result: Punjab Kings to win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Lucknow Super Giants win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 55 to 65 for the loss of two wickets
- Punjab Kings Total: 170 to 180
- Match Result: Lucknow Super Giants to win the match
When and Where To Watch Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Tuesday, April 1, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
Read More: IPL 2025: Debutant Ashwani Kumar’s 4-Wicket Haul Bundles KKR for 116 as MI Cruise to Victory
FAQs
What is Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) record against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL?
LSG leads the head-to-head with three wins in four matches against PBKS.
How does the Ekana Cricket Stadium pitch behave in T20 matches?
The red-soil pitch generally favors bowlers, with an average first-innings score of 169 since 2023.
Which players could be key for PBKS against LSG?
Glenn Maxwell, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Lockie Ferguson could play crucial roles, with Ferguson having a strong record against Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant.
Why has Rishabh Pant struggled in IPL 2025 so far?
After becoming the most expensive IPL player, Pant has had a tough start, scoring just 15 runs in two matches on bowler-friendly tracks.
What tactical changes could LSG and PBKS make for this match?
LSG might bring in a left-arm spinner to counter PBKS’ right-handers, while PBKS could add Harpreet Brar for extra spin or swap Lockie Ferguson for Amatullah Omarzai.
