Lucknow Super Giants vs. Gujarat Titans: LSG wins by 33 runs
On May 22, 2025, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosted an electrifying clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 64th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, delivered a commanding performance, defeating the table-topping GT by 33 runs in a high-scoring encounter. Powered by Mitchell Marsh’s maiden IPL century (117 off 64 balls) and Nicholas Pooran’s blistering 56* off 27 balls, LSG posted a mammoth 235/2. Despite a valiant effort from GT’s Shahrukh Khan (57 off 29), LSG’s bowlers, led by Will O’Rourke (3/27) and Ayush Badoni (2/4), held their nerve to restrict GT to 202/9. This victory, LSG’s second over GT in the season, snapped their four-match losing streak and dented GT’s hopes of securing a top-two finish. This article dissects the match’s key moments, standout performances, tactical nuances, and its implications for both teams in the IPL 2025 playoff race.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, known for its batting-friendly conditions, lived up to its reputation as LSG’s 235/2 set the stage for the highest match aggregate (437 runs) in LSG-GT encounters in IPL history. GT, led by Shubman Gill, opted to bowl first, hoping to leverage the dew factor and their strong chasing record (GT had won 5 of 6 games defending in Ahmedabad this season). However, LSG’s explosive batting, coupled with disciplined bowling, overwhelmed GT, who fell short despite a strong start. Posts on X captured the sentiment, with one user noting, “LSG’s batting was unreal, Marsh’s 117 was a masterclass! GT’s middle order exposed.”
LSG’s victory, their third consecutive win against GT (including both 2025 matches), was a statement of intent despite their playoff elimination. GT, with 18 points from 12 matches, remained in the playoff race but slipped from the top spot, with their net run rate taking a hit. The match, played under humid conditions with temperatures around 29°C, saw a vibrant crowd, with X posts describing the atmosphere as “electric” despite GT’s loss.
LSG’s innings was a display of relentless aggression, starting with openers Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, who forged a 91-run stand in 9.4 overs. Marsh, in scintillating form, smashed 117 off 64 balls, including 10 fours and 8 sixes, reaching his century in 58 balls. His knock featured audacious lofts over cover and powerful pulls, particularly against Prasidh Krishna, whom he targeted for 20 runs in the 15th over. Marsh, reflecting post-match, said, “It’s been a long journey… Happy to contribute tonight. The partnership with Markram helped me settle.”
Markram contributed 33 off 26 before falling to R Sai Kishore (1/34) in the 10th over. Nicholas Pooran, batting at No. 3, then joined Marsh, and the duo added a record-breaking 121-run partnership for LSG’s second wicket, surpassing their previous best of 116. Pooran’s unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, with a strike rate of 207.41, included 4 fours and 4 sixes, his aggressive intent evident in a 16-run onslaught against Arshad Khan in the 18th over. Rishabh Pant’s cameo (16* off 8) pushed LSG to 235/2, their highest total against GT.
GT’s bowling struggled to contain LSG’s onslaught. R Sai Kishore (1/34) and Arshad Khan (1/36) took wickets, but Prasidh Krishna (0/51) and Mohammed Siraj (0/45) were expensive. Shubman Gill later admitted, “We gave away 15-20 extra runs… Conceding 235 was a bit too much.” GT’s fielding lapses, including a dropped catch of Pooran, and their inability to execute yorkers in the death overs allowed LSG to post a daunting total.
Chasing 236, GT needed their star-studded top order—Shubman Gill (601 runs in the season), Sai Sudharsan (617 runs), and Jos Buttler (500 runs)—to fire. The trio started strongly, reaching 85/0 in 8 overs, with Sudharsan’s crisp drives and Gill’s elegant cover shots. However, LSG’s bowlers struck back, with Will O’Rourke dismissing Gill (38 off 24) and Buttler (29 off 18) in quick succession, leaving GT at 97/3 in 10.2 overs. Sherfane Rutherford (38 off 22) and Shahrukh Khan (57 off 29) kept GT in the hunt with a 62-run fifth-wicket stand, Shahrukh’s 29-ball fifty earning praise on X: “Shahrukh Khan & Rutherford only positive sign for GT.”
The turning point came in the 17th over when Avesh Khan’s pinpoint yorkers dismissed Rutherford, triggering a collapse. GT lost 4 wickets for 22 runs in the last 25 balls, with Ayush Badoni’s 2/4 in the final over—dismissing Kagiso Rabada and Sai Kishore—sealing the deal. O’Rourke’s 3/27, including the scalps of Gill and Buttler, was pivotal, while Avesh Khan (2/51) and Ravi Bishnoi (1/38) applied pressure. Rishabh Pant noted, “Bowlers held their nerves well… We knew the target was above par.” GT finished at 202/9, their middle order’s fragility exposed, as Shahrukh’s effort lacked support.
LSG’s decision to bat first, despite losing the toss, suited the black-soil pitch’s batting-friendly nature, with Murali Kartik noting its “hard surface” and true bounce. Pant’s strategy to attack early paid off, with Marsh and Markram exploiting the 61m and 67m square boundaries. O’Rourke’s use of hard lengths, as he mentioned post-match, countered GT’s aggressive batting, while Badoni’s slow, looping deliveries in the final over outfoxed GT’s lower order.
Mitchell Marsh, named Player of the Match, credited his opening partnership with Markram: “Being given the opportunity to open… helped me settle and go big.” Pant emphasized the team’s resilience despite their elimination: “We talk about playing good cricket… Bowlers held their nerves well.” LSG’s win, their first in Ahmedabad against GT, showcased their batting depth and bowling adaptability, offering hope for their final league game against RCB on May 27.
For GT, the loss was a setback in their quest for a top-two finish, which guarantees two shots at the final. Gill reflected, “Rutherford and Shahrukh’s batting was a big plus… Getting back momentum would be key.” GT’s middle-order struggles, with only 5 wins in their last 12 matches, highlighted their dependence on Sudharsan, Gill, and Buttler. Their final league game against CSK on May 24 was now critical to reclaim the top spot.
The Narendra Modi Stadium’s black-soil pitch offered true bounce and pace, with short boundaries (61m and 67m square, 70m straight) favoring batsmen. The pitch’s hard surface, as noted by Kartik, supported LSG’s aggressive approach, while minimal dew ensured bowlers could grip the ball late. The average first-innings score in Ahmedabad for IPL 2025 was around 195, making LSG’s 235 a formidable total.
Posts on X reflected the match’s intensity, with one user stating, “LSG won comfortably… GT’s bowling & middle order exposed.” Another praised Marsh: “Mitchell Marsh’s knock of 117 runs helps LSG defeat GT by 33 runs.” Analysts noted LSG’s ability to capitalize on GT’s weaknesses, with one X post highlighting, “Rourke has bowled well (3 W)!” The result intensified the top-two race, with fans commenting, “A heated sprint to the finish line for GT, PBKS, and RCB.”
LSG’s victory, despite their playoff exit, highlighted the potential of Marsh, Pooran, and O’Rourke, with Badoni’s composure adding depth. Their focus will be on retaining this core for 2026. GT, still playoff-bound, must address their middle-order inconsistencies and death bowling. The performances of Shahrukh and Rutherford offer hope, but their reliance on the top order needs balancing. The match underscored the IPL’s unpredictability, with LSG’s pride-driven performance shaking up the playoff race.
