LSG vs SRH, 61st Match at Lucknow, IPL, May 19 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Right then. That is all we have for you from Lucknow tonight. The IPL caravan moves to Delhi tomorrow where CSK take on RR. Do join us for that. On behalf of Raghav and Ashish, this is Sudarshanan signing off. G'night and ciao, folks!

11:28pm This is the first successful 200-plus chase in the IPL at Ekana. LSG players' heads drop. Pant gathers himself before getting to the handshakes. It has been a tough season for him as a player and as a captain. They began with a few unlikely wins but the poor form of the middle order came back to haunt them. And today was an apt summation of the season that was for them. Their openers put them on course for a big total. But there was nothing concrete to follow once they fell.

LSG assistant coach Vijay Dahiya has a quiet word with Abhishek as teams shake hands. Abhishek and Rathi once again have a brief chat before moving on. It was an episode both of them would want to move past. It was Abhishek's blitz that set up SRH's chase. Rathi briefly threatened to undo his good work but Kamindu applied the just finishing touches before he clutched his hamstring and walked off.

Rishabh Pant, LSG captain: "We knew we had gaps to fill because of injuries. As a team we had decided not to talk about it. But it became to close the gaps. The way we planned the auction, if we would have had the same bowling, the story would have been different. Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don't. We take pride in the way we played and will look at the positives. We have a strong batting firepower. Even for bowlers, there were times when they were bowling in good areas. We were trying to make the best of it. We knew we were ten runs short. We were good in patches but did not close out the game. [Rathi] The bowler Rathi has come up nicely. This is his first season. The way he bowled, it was good to see. Rathi is one of the positives."

Daniel Vettori, SRH head coach: "After the extended break, it was tough coming back. To be able to pull off a difficult chase was a fantastic effort. [Abhishek] We are used to it. He is incredible. Big challenge for teams is when he gets through the early phase and takes on the spinners. Normally he is very successful then. Certain people step up at certain times. Last few games were about projecting for next season. Kamindu and Eshan Malinga complemented what Klaasen and Abhishek pulled off. Some pitches allow you to take on the aggressive style. We understand teams are going to come hard at us. That is the style most teams are playing. We want Head and Abhishek to go out and play aggressive. Rest of the players adapt to the situations and conditions. Sometimes wickets allow you to play in the manner. A lot of planning went into bowling at those two. I don't want a style change but I want them to adapt. Head is in quarantine."

Pat Cummins, SRH captain: "Probably a few more than we would have liked. Walking out to chase 205, we were confident. Eshan Malinga has been good, worked with the coaches and a great executor. When we are at our best, it doesn't look like they [Klaasen and Kamindu] took risks. Win gives a lot of confidence for next year."

Abhishek Sharma, Player of the Match: "We [him and Rathi] spoke after the game, it is all good now. If we would have batted first, I would have other plans. When you are chasing over 200, I had to go hard. Atharva and me had a chat that we will see the first ball and then knock it around. If you ask any international player, they would say if you are chasing, you should win the powerplay. I wanted to express myself, if I do well, team will do well. You have to take the responsibility as an international player. The plan was same as in the international side. If it is there on the first ball, I had to go for it."

Rathi running off the field now. O'Rourke into the attack

Kamindu limps off and is retired hurt and Nitish Reddy walks in next

Kamindu is down on the ground and is getting the physio's attention.

Aniket Verma is in at No. 6, 11 needed off 15

Thakur's last over

bhupathi: "Abhishek Knock made sure that this pair can take singles and win the match"

Akash Deep brought back

In the lead-up to the World Test Championship final, ESPNcricinfo, Star Sports and JioHotstar are inviting you to help us pick the greatest Test of the 21st century. In the voting bracket, we now have two Chepauk epics - 2001 versus 2008 and India's fortress breach of Gabba 2021 against Laxman's Mohali heist. What are your picks?

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