Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) aim to double their points tally as they face a struggling Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday, March 27.
Table of Contents
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants: Preview
Some IPL matches transcend mere results, becoming turning points that reshape teams and strategies. They can signal the beginning of a new era while overshadowing an otherwise commendable phase. For LSG and KL Rahul, their split—despite back-to-back playoff finishes in 2022 and 2023—may trace its roots back to this very fixture last May, when Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma dismantled a modest target of 165 in just 9.4 overs. That match also saw the fastest chase of a target above 150 in IPL history, surpassing Deccan Chargers’ record of chasing 155 in 12 overs against Mumbai Indians in 2008.
SRH’s opening pair of Head and Abhishek has been a nightmare for bowling attacks, boasting the highest partnership strike rate (225.08) among duos who have opened in at least 15 T20 matches. The last time they faced LSG, they also became the only pair to score 100-plus runs twice in the powerplay in T20s.
Regardless, SRH won’t deviate from their aggressive approach, especially at home. Against Rajasthan Royals, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma provided a blistering start, followed by Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 106 off 47. Remarkably, each of their top six batters maintained a strike rate of 200 or more, as they fell just one run short of breaking their own record for the highest IPL total.
It was a run-fest, and SRH’s bowlers weren’t spared either. Barring Harshal Patel, all their pacers conceded over ten runs per over, with even captain Pat Cummins enduring a tough outing, giving away 60 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket. While SRH will look to tighten things up with the ball, their bowling remains a minor concern compared to their batting firepower.
On Hyderabad’s true batting surfaces, runs are there for the taking for anyone with the skill to swing a bat. LSG arrive with a top order capable of matching SRH blow for blow at this venue, but they cannot afford another costly lapse. Against DC, they started strong but crumbled late, managing just 48/6 in the final seven overs. In conditions where bowlers have little respite, batters too have minimal margin for error. As LSG learned in Vizag, even a brief dip in momentum can mean the difference between a match-winning 250 and an inadequate 210.
LSG’s saving grace was that the collapse last season happened ahead of a mega auction, allowing them an immediate opportunity to rebuild. Only two players—Ravi Bishnoi and Ayush Badoni—from that fateful night will feature on Thursday, yet the team still grapples with injury-related bowling concerns. Their revamped but patchwork bowling attack, comprising two pacers and four spinners, showed flashes of promise in the narrow loss to Delhi Capitals in Vizag. However, such an approach may not be enough in Hyderabad, where Head and Abhishek remain pivotal to an SRH side that retained its core and continues to be a dominant force.
For LSG, David Miller’s struggles against SRH’s Australian duo are a concern. His T20 strike rate drops below 100 against them—82.6 vs Pat Cummins (two dismissals in eight innings) and 93.75 vs Adam Zampa (two dismissals in five innings).
SRH’s top order will come out swinging, but how can they be contained? With Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan all being left-handers, it might be worth introducing Ravi Bishnoi early. His arsenal of sliders and googlies could be a potential weapon against SRH’s explosive batting lineup.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Aiden Markram—who led Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20 and played for SRH from 2022 to 2024—will now open for LSG against his former team. In his 36 innings for SRH, he scored 849 runs at a strike rate of 131.01.
With the season still in its early stages, this fixture doesn’t carry the same weight for LSG as it did last year. However, an away win—despite their depleted squad—against a recent finalist that has lost just once in their last seven home games could mark the beginning of something significant.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants: Head-to-head
SRH 1 – 3 LSG. In Hyderabad, both teams have won once in their two encounters. Last season, SRH rewrote history in this fixture by chasing down 166 in less than 10 overs without losing a wicket.
- Matches Played: 4
- Won by Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1
- Won by Lucknow Super Giants: 3
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 0
- First-ever Fixture: April 4, 2022
- Most-recent Fixture: May 8, 2024
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Another match where the total score could exceed 500 runs. The pitches are flat, and both top orders have the ability to dominate most bowling attacks in the tournament.
Hyderabad’s surface consistently favors batters, especially when SRH are at the crease. Similar conditions are expected again. The evening will be warm, following a hot day, with no chances of rain.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants: Team News and Predicted XI
Sunrisers Hyderabad – Team News
The hosts have no injury concerns and are expected to field an unchanged XII. Nicholas Pooran carries a fearsome reputation for dismantling spin match-ups that favor him. However, SRH leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who turns the ball into left-handers, has had the upper hand in this tournament. Pooran has managed just 38 runs off 36 balls against Zampa while being dismissed twice. Expect Pat Cummins to introduce Zampa as soon as the left-hander steps in.
Before dealing with Pooran, SRH would be wise to avoid bowling short to Mitchell Marsh. The Australian all-rounder made DC pay for that mistake in Vizag, hammering a 72 off 36 balls against his former team.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – Predicted XI
- Travis Head
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Aniket Verma
- Abhinav Manohar
- Pat Cummins (capt)
- Simarjeet Singh
- Harshal Patel
- Mohammed Shami
- Adam Zampa
Lucknow Super Giants – Team News
Avesh Khan is back for LSG. The fast bowler spent 20 minutes sprinting on the sidelines before joining the nets, where he quickly hit full intensity, even troubling his captain Rishabh Pant with his pace. He is expected to slot straight into the XI, likely replacing Manimaran Sidharth or Prince Yadav.
Meanwhile, Akash Deep and Mayank Yadav remain unavailable, and the rest of LSG’s line-up is expected to stay unchanged.
LSG will once again rely on Shardul Thakur to provide early breakthroughs. He has kept Abhishek Sharma in check in previous encounters, dismissing him twice in 14 deliveries while conceding just 16 runs. However, Thakur faces a tougher challenge against SRH’s new No.3, Ishan Kishan, who has dominated him, scoring 57 runs off 30 balls without being dismissed.
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
- Avesh Khan
- Digvesh Rathi
- Manimaran Siddharth/Prince Yadav
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants: Players To Watch Out For
Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Pat Cummins is returning from an injury layoff, with SRH’s season opener being his first T20 match since the conclusion of the MLC in July 2024.
While much of the focus will be on SRH’s explosive batting, Cummins’ role in applying pressure during the middle overs and taking out key opposition batters could be crucial. If he can quickly regain his rhythm, it will be a significant boost for the team.
Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)
The disparity between expectations and reality persists in Rishabh Pant’s T20 career. There’s an argument for him moving up the order or at least selecting an entry point that minimizes his early exposure to spin.
His six-ball duck in LSG’s opener not only stalled his own innings but also disrupted Nicholas Pooran’s momentum at the other end. With conditions expected to be more favorable this time, can Pant bounce back and make an impact?
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Sunrisers Hyderabad win the toss and bat
- Powerplay Score:Â 75-85
- Sunrisers Hyderabad Total: 230-250
- Match Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Lucknow Super Giants win the toss and bat
- Powerplay Score:Â 60-70
- Lucknow Super Giants Total: 220-240
- Match Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad win the match
When and Where To Watch Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Thursday, March 26, at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. 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: WC 2026 Qualifiers: Brazil Crushed 4-1 by Argentina in a Humiliating Defeat
FAQs
What is the highest partnership strike rate for openers in T20s?
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma hold the best partnership strike rate of 225.08 among pairs who have opened in at least 15 T20s.
What record did SRH set against LSG in their last meeting?
Head and Abhishek became the only duo to score 100+ runs twice in the powerplay in T20s. They also set the record for the fastest chase of a 150+ target in IPL history, achieving it in 9.4 overs.
How has Pat Cummins performed in IPL 2024 so far?
Cummins is returning from an injury layoff and played his first T20 since July 2024 in SRH’s season opener. His ability to control the middle overs and take key wickets could be game-changing.
hat are LSG’s key bowling strategies against SRH’s top order?
LSG might rely on Ravi Bishnoi early against SRH’s left-handed trio—Head, Abhishek, and Ishan Kishan. Additionally, Shardul Thakur has dismissed Abhishek twice in 14 balls, while Ishan has dominated him with 57 runs in 30 balls.
How can Rishabh Pant improve his impact in T20s?
Pant may need to move up the order or adjust his entry point to avoid early spin challenges. His six-ball duck in LSG’s opener disrupted Nicholas Pooran’s rhythm, and he’ll be looking to turn things around in better batting conditions.
