Rishabh Pant anchors LSG to victory against SRH.

Rishabh Pant delivered a masterclass in finishing as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured their first win of the IPL 2026 season with a five-wicket triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing 157 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, the LSG captain remained unbeaten on 68 from 50 deliveries, ensuring his side crossed the finish line with seven balls to spare.

Powerplay Dominance and Middle Order Wobble

Chase dynamics shifted early when Mitchell Marsh fell for 14. However, Aiden Markram provided the necessary aggression, bludgeoning 45 runs off just 27 balls to keep the run rate in check. Despite Markram’s exit and a sudden collapse involving Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni, Pant stayed composed. His ability to navigate the late-inning pressure against Harsh Dubey proved the difference-maker for the visitors.

Shami Destroys Hyderabad Top Order

Earlier, Mohammed Shami produced a clinical opening spell that left the home crowd stunned. His figures of 2/9 in four overs decimated the SRH top order, removing Abhishek Sharma for a duck and putting Travis Head under immense pressure. By the eighth over, Hyderabad languished at 29/4, a precarious position that required a significant recovery effort.

Reddy and Klaasen Lead Rescue Act

Local talent Nitish Kumar Reddy joined forces with Heinrich Klaasen to rebuild the innings. The pair shared a 116-run stand, with Reddy smashing five sixes in his 56-run knock. Klaasen contributed a gritty 62, helping SRH reach a defensible 156/9. This rivalry between the two franchises has intensified since the 2023 season, where high-scoring encounters became a trademark of their meetings in the Deccan region.

Current Standings

This result moves Lucknow to seventh place on the leaderboard. Both teams now hold two points from three matches, though Hyderabad maintains a slight edge in fifth place due to a superior net run rate.