The Lucknow Super Giants faced a tough loss against the Delhi Capitals in their first match of IPL 2025, which took place in Vizag on Sunday night. It was a frustrating game for LSG, especially since they had a strong grip on the match at one point, managing to have Delhi at 65 for 5 while defending a hefty total of 212 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
Things took a turn when Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam stepped up for Delhi, with Sharma smashing a quick half-century that helped bring his team back into the fight. In the end, Delhi managed to chase down the target, sealing the win with just three balls left to play and only one wicket in hand.
For LSG captain Rishabh Pant, it was a rough debut after he joined the team for a whopping Rs 27 crore at last year’s IPL mega auction. He had a tough outing, getting out for a six-ball duck and also missing a tricky stumping chance that could have swung the game in LSG’s favor. To add to the mix, many found it curious that Pant decided to use Shardul Thakur for only two overs, especially since Thakur took two wickets in his very first over.
Post-match, social media lit up with images of LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in conversation with Pant and head coach Justin Langer, possibly discussing the game and future strategies. Last season, the team parted ways with former captain KL Rahul after they couldn’t make it to the playoffs for the first time in three years, putting extra pressure on Pant to lead effectively this time around.
In light of the disappointing outcome, LSG shared a video of Goenka delivering an uplifting talk to the players. He mentioned, “There are many positives I take away from this game in batting and bowling. The way we approached the Powerplay in both bowling and batting was fantastic. We’re a young team, so let’s focus on the positives and move forward to the next game. Sure, it’s disappointing, but it was a great match. Well done to the players.”
LSG will have another chance to bounce back when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad this Thursday, looking to turn their fortunes around and get a win under their belts.
