Expect Another Big Total as SRH Batters Face Weakened LSG Bowling at Home
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has brought with it intense competition, thrilling performances, and high expectations from fans all across India. As teams jostle for supremacy, each match becomes an opportunity for franchises to display their skills, resilience, and adaptability. One such anticipated contest will see Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) hosting Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. While both teams have had their fair share of highs and lows throughout the season, the SRH batters are gearing up to take on a weakened LSG bowling attack in a home fixture, making for a potentially high-scoring game.
SRH’s Strong Batting Lineup
The Sunrisers Hyderabad have long been known for their firepower in the batting department, with a mix of experienced campaigners and dynamic young players. With the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Harry Brook, Aiden Markram, and Rahul Tripathi in the middle order, SRH has one of the most explosive batting lineups in IPL 2025. The team has regularly posted substantial totals, and their ability to accelerate in the middle overs has been their forte.
Abhishek Sharma, known for his quickfire starts at the top, has been crucial in setting the tone early. His aggressive strokeplay allows the middle order to build on the foundation, providing the team with the momentum it needs in the latter stages of the innings. Harry Brook, with his elegant strokeplay, has quickly adapted to the IPL, becoming a key figure in SRH’s batting lineup. When on song, Brook can score quickly, and his ability to find gaps and rotate the strike effectively has been vital for SRH’s high-scoring games.
In addition to these names, Aiden Markram and Rahul Tripathi have been stalwarts for SRH. Markram, the South African all-rounder, brings stability and composure in the middle overs. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate towards the end makes him a dangerous prospect for any opposition. Rahul Tripathi, known for his versatility, has also contributed heavily, playing an important role in shifting the momentum in favor of SRH.
On top of this, the support from their lower order, including Washington Sundar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has been steady, ensuring that even if the top order falls early, SRH can still build a competitive total.
With this star-studded batting lineup, SRH will have their eyes set on another big total, especially given the vulnerabilities in LSG’s bowling attack.
LSG’s Weakened Bowling Attack
The Lucknow Super Giants have made a strong mark in IPL 2025 with some remarkable performances. However, their bowling attack seems to have lost some of its bite, with injuries and fatigue creeping in as the season progresses. LSG’s once-dominant pace attack, spearheaded by the likes of Mark Wood, Avesh Khan, and Mohsin Khan, is looking considerably weaker as the key bowlers either struggle with form or are sidelined with injuries.
Mark Wood, who has been LSG’s primary wicket-taker this season, has been instrumental in setting the tone early with his pace and bounce. However, as the season has worn on, injuries and the demands of playing multiple games have reduced his effectiveness. LSG will need him to fire on all cylinders if they are to compete against SRH’s formidable batting lineup.
Similarly, Avesh Khan, who has been the go-to bowler for LSG in the middle overs, has not been at his best in recent matches. His inconsistency in the powerplay and his struggle to execute yorkers in the death overs have been areas of concern. LSG will need Khan to find his rhythm quickly and contain the SRH batters, especially in the back end of the innings, where SRH tends to explode.
Mohsin Khan’s return from injury has been a positive, but he too has looked a little rusty in his comeback. His pace and swing have not been as effective as they once were, and the SRH batters will look to exploit these lapses. To make matters worse, LSG’s spin department, which had been somewhat of a strength in the past, has not been as effective this season. While Ravi Bishnoi can be a match-winner on his day, his inconsistency in the middle overs can prove costly against aggressive batters like Aiden Markram and Rahul Tripathi.
Given that LSG’s bowling attack seems weakened and lacking the depth they had at the start of the season, SRH will undoubtedly target them to rack up another massive total.
Key Matchups
1. Abhishek Sharma vs. Mark Wood
One of the most exciting matchups in this game will be between SRH’s explosive opener, Abhishek Sharma, and LSG’s key pacer, Mark Wood. Abhishek has made a name for himself as a power hitter in the early stages of the innings, and his ability to take on the bowlers right from the outset will be critical. However, if Mark Wood is fit and firing, his sheer pace can trouble Abhishek, forcing him to either defend or play rash shots. If Abhishek can weather the early storm, though, he could be poised for a massive score.
2. Harry Brook vs. Avesh Khan
Avesh Khan’s ability to bowl in the middle overs will be crucial in breaking the momentum of SRH’s middle order, especially with a dangerous batter like Harry Brook in the mix. Brook’s calm, composed nature and ability to find gaps make him a major threat to the opposition. If Avesh Khan can hit the right lengths and curtail Brook’s aggression, he could stifle the run rate. However, if Brook gets going, expect boundaries to flow freely.
3. Rahul Tripathi vs. Ravi Bishnoi
Rahul Tripathi’s flexibility and ability to attack spin could be tested against Ravi Bishnoi, LSG’s key spinner. Tripathi is known for his ability to accelerate in the middle overs, and Bishnoi’s variations will need to be on point if he is to get the better of Tripathi. If Bishnoi bowls the wrong line or length, Tripathi will likely take him on, increasing SRH’s total. However, if Bishnoi finds his rhythm, he could be the key to slowing down SRH’s progress.
4. Aiden Markram vs. LSG’s Death Bowlers
Aiden Markram has been a solid anchor for SRH, and his ability to play the anchor role while accelerating towards the end of the innings makes him a dangerous prospect. LSG will need to ensure that they contain Markram in the death overs, as he has the ability to take apart any bowling attack. However, if LSG’s death bowlers, who have been inconsistent this season, fail to execute their yorkers, Markram could be poised to accelerate and provide SRH with the big finish they need.
Home Advantage for SRH
Playing at home at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium gives SRH a definite advantage. The pitch in Hyderabad is known for being a batting-friendly surface, with true bounce and consistent pace, perfect for aggressive strokeplay. The outfield is quick, and the conditions are conducive to high scores.
SRH batters are more familiar with these conditions and will look to exploit the weaknesses in LSG’s attack. In contrast, LSG, who are travelling to Hyderabad, may struggle to adapt to the conditions, especially with their bowling attack looking fatigued and out of sorts.
SRH’s Strategy
SRH will look to come out all guns blazing. Given LSG’s weakened bowling attack, they will seek to exploit the powerplay overs, targeting the early bowlers and ensuring that they score at a high rate. The middle overs will be crucial, as SRH’s batters will need to accelerate without losing wickets. The final 5 overs, in particular, will be where SRH can truly set the stage for a big total. With their depth in batting and LSG’s vulnerability in the death overs, SRH will back themselves to score a daunting total.
Conclusion
SRH is poised for another big total in this IPL 2025 encounter against LSG. With a dominant batting lineup that is well-equipped to take on a weakened LSG bowling attack, SRH will be hoping to post a mammoth total on their home turf. If their batters fire, expect fireworks from Hyderabad as they look to put LSG on the backfoot.
