Lucknow Super Giants Beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in Last-Over Thriller
Lucknow Super Giants registered their first win of the IPL season with a hard-fought victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Sunday. The visitors bounced back strongly after losing their opening match, defeating Hyderabad on their home ground in a tense finish.
Shami’s Early Spell Restricts Hyderabad
Opting to bat first, Sunrisers Hyderabad struggled against Lucknow’s pace attack. Mohammed Shami, traded from Hyderabad to Lucknow this season, delivered a fiery opening spell, taking two wickets for just nine runs in four overs. His early breakthroughs reduced Hyderabad to 29 for 4 inside eight overs.
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Klassen and Nitish Rescue Innings
Heinrich Klassen and Nitish Kumar Reddy steadied the innings with a 116-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Klassen scored 62 off 41 balls with five fours and two sixes, while Nitish added 56 off 33 balls, hitting three fours and five sixes. Their efforts lifted Hyderabad to 156 for 9 in 20 overs.
Pant Leads Lucknow Chase
Lucknow’s chase was not without trouble. The team lost early wickets but captain Rishabh Pant anchored the innings with an unbeaten 68 off 50 balls, including nine boundaries. Aiden Markram supported him with a brisk 45 off 27 balls. Despite losing wickets in the middle overs, Pant guided his side to victory in 19.5 overs.
Tight Finish and Player of the Match
With nine runs needed off the final over, Pant struck three boundaries off Jaydev Unadkat to seal the win. Shami was named Player of the Match for his decisive bowling performance.
Match Summary
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 156/9 in 20 overs (Klassen 62, Nitish 56; Shami 2/9, Prince Yadav 2/34) Lucknow Super Giants: 160/5 in 19.5 overs (Pant 68*, Markram 45; Dubey 2/18, Malinga 1/30)