The carnival of IPL 2025 arrives in the City of Nawabs, Lucknow, as LSG prepares to take on Punjab Kings in their first home game of the season at the Ekana International Stadium today. The city is buzzing with excitement, and home fans are eager to witness their team in action. Many fans were seen waiting outside the stadium yesterday, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite players as the team buses passed by.
After a week-long break, Punjab Kings are set to play their second match of the season, with their fast-bowling coach highlighting the extended preparation time as an advantage. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants last played against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday (27th March).
The atmosphere in Lucknow is electric ahead of the much-anticipated clash between LSG and PBKS. Yesterday, a massive crowd of passionate cricket fans gathered outside the team hotel, eagerly waiting to spot their favourite players as they arrived. The excitement was palpable, with fans cheering loudly at the sight of players sitting by the windows of the team buses.
Across the city, IPL fever is at an all-time high. Discussions about team strategies, player form, and match predictions dominate conversations in every Lucknowi andaz. The Lucknow Metro, wrapped in LSG’s colours, further amplifies the city’s enthusiasm. Despite fewer promotional efforts from LSG this year—noticeably fewer posters and hoardings compared to last season—the response to their first match has been remarkable. A packed stadium seems inevitable, with passionate fans ready to cheer for their team.
While the prospect of watching explosive hitters like Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, and Shreyas Iyer launch balls into the stands fuels fans’ excitement, there is also a tinge of disappointment in the city. The absence of express pacer Mayank Yadav due to injury has left fans longing for the sheer pace he displayed in his unforgettable spell against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) last year. His rapid rise in popularity among Lucknow’s cricket lovers is evident, and many express how much they will miss his fiery deliveries.
With all tickets sold out and only a slim chance of securing one online, it is clear that Lucknow is fully immersed in IPL fever. The stage is set, the city is buzzing, and fans eagerly await the first ball in what promises to be an exhilarating contest.
Shardul Thakur, who recently joined Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement for Mohsin Khan, has quickly become the centre of attention, drawing a wave of new fans with his magical performance against SRH in Hyderabad. His early wickets set the tone for LSG’s victory, making him one of the most talked-about players in the city.
Ahead of the battle against Punjab Kings, when asked about his journey from not featuring in LSG’s promotional posters to becoming a new fan favourite, Thakur responded with his trademark humour: “Nahi toh ho jaayenge! Posters toh pehle se decide hote hain, maine team late join ki hai.” (No worries, it will happen! Posters are decided in advance; I joined the team late.)
This clash carries extra weight—it is a battle between the two most expensive captains in IPL history. Rishabh Pant, acquired by LSG for a record-breaking ₹27 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, will look to carry forward the momentum after his team’s convincing victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings, who spent ₹26.75 crore to bring in Shreyas Iyer, will be determined to leave Lucknow with another win under their belt. While Pant aims to rediscover his best form, Iyer—already in fine touch—will want to continue his strong run.
Both teams boast explosive batting line-ups. Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh have been in good form for LSG, consistently clearing the ropes in their last two games. Alongside them, David Miller, Rishabh Pant, and Abdul Samad strengthen LSG’s finishing power. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have their skipper Shreyas Iyer in red-hot form, having smashed 97* off just 47 balls against Gujarat Titans. Young talent Priyansh Arya adds depth at the top, while the presence of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Shashank Singh ensures PBKS have the firepower to counter any challenge in the death overs. Stoinis, a key player for LSG over the past three IPL seasons, will now line up against his former side, bringing valuable experience of playing at Ekana.
Lucknow Super Giants face challenges with key pacers still recovering from injuries. However, the inclusion of Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan has provided much-needed balance to the fast-bowling department, while Shahbaz Ahmed and Ravi Bishnoi strengthen the spin attack. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings’ bowling line-up appears more settled, with Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, and Yuzvendra Chahal leading the way alongside a few reliable all-rounders.
The two teams have faced each other four times in the past, with LSG dominating the head-to-head record, winning three out of four encounters. Notably, LSG posted their highest total against PBKS, amassing a massive 257 runs in Mohali in 2023. It will be interesting to see if LSG’s batters can replicate that kind of dominance today and how the fans react to the sixes soaring into the stands.
After a high-scoring start to IPL 2025, the tournament’s pace has noticeably slowed. In the first six matches, teams comfortably crossed the 200-run mark six times. However, in the last six games, no team has managed to reach 200, indicating a shift in playing conditions. Given this trend, it is unlikely that Lucknow will offer a purely batting-friendly surface, promising a more balanced contest. The weather in Lucknow looks favourable, with minimal chances of rain affecting the game. However, with several in-form batters on both sides, fans can still expect plenty of big hits—and perhaps even a rain of sixes.
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