Shami, Pant Guide LSG to First Win Over SRH

Lucknow Super Giants secured their first win of IPL 2026 with a five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, as Mohammed Shami and Rishabh Pant played decisive roles. Shami’s early spell and Pant’s unbeaten 68 ensured LSG chased down 157 with control in Hyderabad.

LSG finished on 160 for 5, overcoming SRH’s 156 for 9 in a contest that swung through key phases.

Shami dismantles SRH top order

After choosing to field, Lucknow Super Giants struck early through Mohammed Shami, who delivered a superb spell of 2 for 9.

He removed Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head in his opening two overs using variations in pace, setting the tone for the innings. Prince Yadav added to the pressure by dismissing Ishan Kishan with an inswinger, while Liam Livingstone fell soon after attempting an improvised shot.

At 26 for 4 in the eighth over, SRH were in deep trouble.

Klaasen and Reddy rebuild innings

Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy rescued Sunrisers Hyderabad with a crucial partnership of 116 runs for the fifth wicket off 63 balls, the highest for that wicket for SRH.

The pair began cautiously, with SRH reaching only 35 for 4 after ten overs, one of the lowest halfway scores in IPL history. They then shifted gears, adding 79 runs in the next five overs.

Klaasen reached his fifty in 33 balls despite being dropped on 19, while Reddy brought up his half-century off 30 deliveries. Their stand revived SRH’s hopes of a competitive total.

LSG fight back at the death

Lucknow Super Giants regained control through disciplined bowling in the closing overs.

Reddy was dismissed in the 17th over, and Klaasen fell soon after attempting a reverse lap off Avesh Khan. With those wickets, SRH lost momentum and could manage only 33 runs in the final four overs while losing five wickets.

They finished on 156 for 9, well short of what had seemed possible midway through the innings.

Markram provides strong start

In the chase, Aiden Markram gave LSG early momentum with a fluent 45 off 27 balls.

He struck boundaries regularly, including a six off Jaydev Unadkat, and helped LSG reach 53 for 1 at the end of the powerplay. Mitchell Marsh contributed 14 before falling, but Markram ensured the chase remained on track.

Middle-order wobble adds tension

Despite the strong start, LSG lost wickets at regular intervals on a pitch that made strokeplay difficult.

KL Rahul was not mentioned in this innings, but Ayush Badoni was stumped by Harsh Dubey, while Nicholas Pooran was run out after a mix-up. The chase slowed, and with 43 needed off five overs, the game remained finely balanced.

Pant seals the chase

Rishabh Pant anchored the innings despite struggling for fluency for much of his stay.

With nine required from the final over, he took charge. Pant struck two boundaries off the first two deliveries from Unadkat to level the scores. After two dot balls, he lofted a shot over mid-off to complete the chase.

He remained unbeaten on 68, guiding LSG home with authority in the closing moments.

What this means

Lucknow Super Giants’ win highlights the importance of early breakthroughs and controlled finishing in T20 cricket, with contributions from both their bowling attack and middle order.

For Sunrisers Hyderabad, the defeat underscores how momentum can shift quickly, particularly after a strong recovery, with the death overs proving decisive.

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