LSG Out of IPL Playoffs After SRH Clash

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoffs after a six-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), despite posting a strong total of 205/7 with contributions from Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran. SRH's chase was led by Abhishek Sharma's explosive 59 off 20 balls and Heinrich Klaasen's steady 47. The match featured heated on-field confrontations: LSG spinner Digvesh Rathi was suspended for one match and fined 50% of his match fee for repeated code of conduct violations, while Abhishek Sharma was fined 25% of his fee for his involvement. LSG captain Rishabh Pant, who managed only 135 runs in 12 matches despite being the league's most expensive player, blamed injuries to key bowlers for the team's struggles. Criticism from former players, including Mohammad Kaif and Aakash Chopra, targeted the franchise's retention of injury-prone and underperforming stars, with suggestions to release such players ahead of the next auction. The defeat underscores LSG's need for significant strategic changes before IPL 2026.