Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) suffered a five-wicket defeat in Match 30 of the IPL 2025 season against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Monday (April 14).
CSK chased down the target of 167 in 19.3 overs and recorded their second win of the season after suffering five consecutive losses.
After the game, former Australian skipper Michael Clarke highlighted a major mistake made by LSG captain Rishabh Pant during the chase.
Clarke mentioned how Pant could’ve used wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi at a crucial phase of the game. According to the new playing conditions of the IPL, LSG were given a new ball after the 16th over as there was excessive dew at the venue.
Clarke felt that Pant could’ve brought back Bishnoi to bowl his final over at that juncture as CSK needed 44 runs from the last four overs.
“Look, I think just pace off the ball on that pitch was just so important. I think the other thing as well, that ball change. When the ball got changed and he went to fast bowling from both ends. I thought maybe that was a chance to go back to his strike weapon and taken a couple of wickets in Bishnoi. Easier to grip, maybe a little bit more spin as well. You can look at a number of things,” Clarke said on Star Sports.
Bishnoi was the stand-out bowler for LSG, returning with the figures of 2/18 in his three overs. However, much to everyone’s surprise, he didn’t come on to bowl again after the 13th over. Instead, Pant used the services of Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan for the last four overs.
Clarke further highlighted that LSG were sloppy on the field, which made a big difference in the end.
“Again you heard Rishabh Pant speak at the end of the game as well. He said he would have liked an extra 10 or 15 runs, so if they get those runs, maybe it wouldn't have mattered who he bowled. They missed a couple of opportunities in the field, a couple of drop catches as well. Probably the area where CSK was certainly better than LSG tonight with the fielding. That's the way it goes. You win some, you lose some, you go with your gut and you're back it every single time,” he remarked.
It was LSG’s third defeat in seven matches this season. They are currently holding fourth spot on the 10-team points table.
Lucknow Super Giants will next face Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Saturday (April 19).
