LSG vs PBKS First Innings– Drama at Ekana Stadium

Toss and Team Decisions

Table of Contents

LSG vs PBKS First Innings: In a tactical move, Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, citing the pitch’s reputation for aiding bowlers and the potential for dew later in the game . LSG retained their winning XI from their previous match, while PBKS handed a debut to New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson, replacing Vijaykumar Vyshak to bolster their pace attack .

Playing XIs :

LSG: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Rishabh Pant (C), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Digvesh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi.
PBKS: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.

Powerplay Collapse: LSG Stumble Early

LSG’s innings began disastrously, with Arshdeep Singh (3/43) striking in the first over to dismiss the in-form Mitchell Marsh (0 off 1 ball), who top-edged a short ball to Marco Jansen . Lockie Ferguson’s debut over saw Aiden Markram (28 off 18 balls) depart after a brisk start, bowled by a 145+ kmph delivery that rattled his stumps . Skipper Rishabh Pant (2 off 5 balls), under immense pressure due to his poor form, fell to Glenn Maxwell’s part-time spin, chipping a leg-side shot to Yuzvendra Chahal at square leg . By the end of the powerplay, LSG were reeling at 36/3 – the lowest powerplay score of IPL 2025 .

Recovery Mode: Pooran and Badoni Steady the Ship

With LSG in crisis at 35/3, Nicholas Pooran (44 off 30 balls) and Ayush Badoni (41 off 33 balls) staged a 54-run partnership to resurrect the innings. Pooran, initially cautious, exploded against Yuzvendra Chahal, smashing 15 runs in a single over, including a six over long-off and a boundary through cover . Badoni complemented him with calculated aggression, hooking Ferguson for a six and reverse-scooping Arshdeep for a daring boundary .

However, Chahal (1/36) had the last laugh, luring Pooran into a mistimed lofted shot to Glenn Maxwell at long-off in the 12th over . David Miller (19 off 18 balls) briefly supported Badoni but fell to Marco Jansen’s disciplined bowling, edging a back-of-a-length delivery to the keeper.

LSG vs PBKS Playing XI, Toss Update and Key Insights

Samad’s Late Fireworks and Arshdeep’s Death-Over Mastery

The innings’ defining burst came from Abdul Samad (27 off 12 balls), who plundered 20 runs off Arshdeep’s penultimate over. His audacious scoop over fine leg and a six over long-on electrified the crowd . However, Arshdeep redeemed himself in the final over, dismissing both Samad and Badoni with pinpoint yorkers and slower balls, restricting LSG to 171/7 .

Key Bowling Performances:

Arshdeep Singh: 3/43, including crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay and death overs.
Marco Jansen: 1/28, stifling the middle order with his variations.
Lockie Ferguson: 1/26, making an immediate impact on debut .

Pitch Analysis and Tactical Nuances

The Ekana Stadium’s red-soil pitch, layered with grass, lived up to its bowler-friendly reputation. Early seam movement and sharp turn for spinners kept batters in check, with the average first-innings score here dropping to 169 since 2023 . PBKS’s decision to field first aligned with historical trends, as teams chasing at Ekana have won 50% of matches in IPL 2025 .

Tactical Wins for PBKS:

Ferguson vs Pooran: The Kiwi pacer, who has dismissed Pooran four times in six previous meetings, kept the West Indian quiet early .
Chahal’s Redemption: After a wicketless first game, the leg-spinner outfoxed Pooran with a flighted delivery outside off .

LSG’s Missed Opportunities

Despite the late surge, LSG’s top-order collapse and Pant’s continued struggles (15 runs in three innings) left them 15–20 runs short of a par total . The absence of Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan due to injuries further weakened their bowling depth, placing immense pressure on Shardul Thakur (6 wickets in two games) and Ravi Bishnoi .

What’s Next?

PBKS require 172 runs to secure their second win of the season. With Shreyas Iyer (97* in the opener) and Priyansh Arya (47 off 23) in form, the chase promises to be gripping. LSG’s bowlers, however, will rely on Ekana’s conditions and Bishnoi’s spin (8 wickets in 4 matches here) to defend the total .

Key Stats:

LSG’s record at Ekana: 7 wins, 6 losses in 14 matches.
PBKS’s record at Ekana: 1 win, 1 loss in 2 matches .

Conclusion

LSG’s innings was a tale of resilience and missed chances. While Pooran and Badoni showcased grit, PBKS’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep and Chahal, exploited the conditions brilliantly. The stage is set for a thrilling chase, with Punjab needing to navigate Ekana’s tricks to clinch victory.

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