Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans, IPL, 2026 Apr 12 Full score card

And that's it! Sundar hits the winning run for his team. This is full and around off. Sundar gets on the front foot and eases it down to long off for a single to get the job done. GT BEAT LSG BY 7 WICKETS!

Full and sliding on with the arm. Washington Sundar reaches out in front to flick it away. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and the ball dribbles to mid-wicket.

SCORES LEVEL! Good length, an arm ball on the middle stump. Tewatia goes down on a knee and plays the reverse sweep. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball rolls behind the keeper. A single taken.

FOUR! Pooran with a sloppy effort in the deep! Pushed fuller and on off. Rahul Tewatia lofts it inside out over wide mid off. Nicholas Pooran runs to his right from long off, dives for the catch, but stays out of his reach. The ball teases him, rolling to the fence, but Pooran is a bit lethargic to get up and stop it as the ball kisses the fence.

On a back of a length, on leg, Sundar tucks it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

SIX! CLEARS THE FENCE! Prince continues to bowl on the leg stump line, and this time the length is shortened. Washington Sundar uses the pace, lifts his front leg up and helps it over deep fine leg, into the stands for a six. Just a big hit away now, are GT.

FOUR! What a shot! Aimed at the boots, very full, Washington Sundar doesn't move too much and whips it behind square, between deep square leg and deep fine leg for a four. GT need 12 from 14 now.

On the pads, on a length, Rahul clips it behind to deep fine leg for a single.

WIDE! Takes pace off and digs in a bumper, but it flies over the head of the batter. Tewatia tries to play the ramp shot, but bails out in the end. Wide called.

Too full and outside leg, Sundar flicks it to deep square leg for an easy run.

Skiddy length, on middle, Rahul Tewatia taps it off the back foot to mid off and steals a run.

Slightly short and on off, Washington Sundar hangs back and cuts it wide of deep backward point for two runs.

Quicker and fuller, on middle. Tewatia steers it wide of backward point for a single.

Stumping chance? Nah. Pant appeals momentarily for stumping, but the leg umpire shakes his head. Good length, an off break that spins sharply away from outside off. Tewatia tries to hit it to the off side and is beaten on the outside edge. Pant collects the ball and is quick to dislodge the bails. Replay shows that Tewatia's back leg never got lifted from the crease.

Length ball, outside off, Sundar cuts it behind point for a single.

FOUR! Just beats the fielder. Full in length, on middle. Washington Sundar takes the front foot out of the way and lofts it inside out to the right of long off. Nicholas Pooran throws himself in that direction, but it stays fairly out of his reach and bounces into the fence.

Flat and quick, outside off, Rahul Tewatia bends low and cuts it to deep point for an easy single.

With two left-handers at the crease, Rishabh Pant brings on Aiden Markram for his off-breaks.

Nice and full, outside off, Sundar drives it straight to the cover fielder.

Touch fuller than the previous ball, this is tucked into the deep square leg region for a single.

All of a sudden, LSG have a sniff with both set batters back in the hut. Rahul Tewatia walks in ahead of Glenn Phillips. Interesting call from GT.

OUT! GONE! Shami gets Buttler and GT have lost two set batters in the span of few balls. Slower ball around off, and Buttler looks to go downtown. The bat turns in his hands as he makes contact and doesn't get the distance on it. Markram runs to his left from long on and leaps high to take the catch over his head. Gujarat Titans are 135/3, needing 30 runs from 26 balls.

FOUR! He has been so productive in that region today! Hard length, just around off. Jos Buttler stays put, plays it on the up and lifts it over the extra cover fielder for a cracking boundary.

From around the stumps, on a length, at 120.5 kph. Washington Sundar waits for the slower one and dinks it through mid on for a single.

Length ball, around off, Sundar cuts it to point where it is stopped by the fielder with a dive.

Last 5 overs to go. GT need 35 from those. Mohammad Shami (3-0-30-0) returns to bowl out.

Across off, on a short of a length. Washington Sundar hangs back to punch it away on the off side. Miscues it off an inside edge to the right of mid-wicket. The fielder there dives but cannot cut it off and the batters cross. A wicket and just 2 runs off it.

Prince Yadav continues to impress everyone. Out goes Gill, and in walks Washington Sundar at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Excellent execution, and Prince Yadav gets the reward. A well-directed short ball from Prince, around the left shoulder. Gill is hurried on the pull, and the ball also gets big on him. It catches him on the glove and balloons behind to Rishabh Pant, who takes a dolly. Shubman grimaces a bit in pain as he walks off, having taken a blow on the left glove. He would have liked to be there till the end. GT are 129/2, needing 36 runs off 31 balls.

Buttler shows his cards early as he backs away. Yadav follows him with a full ball. This is hit down to long on for a single.

Out comes the quick bumper, over middle. Jos Buttler dances down the track and swings at it to go big on the leg side but the ball flies over his blade.

Off-cutter by Prince, on a shortish length, on middle. Buttler swivels for the pull but he does not pick the change of pace. He swings early and toe-ends it to cover.

Just outside the off stump, on a back of a length. Jos steers it off the back foot to backward point.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Buttler and Gill are making this chase look like an absolute stroll in the park now. They have not tried anything adventurous, but have just followed the simple process of see-the-ball hit-the-ball. With just 37 runs needed from 36 balls, LSG need a miracle to turn things around from here, but they look absolutely down. GT would aim to win this as quickly as possible, which would benefit their net run rate a great deal. Prince Yadav (2-0-15-0) is back on after the break.

Full and around middle. Buttler carves it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Innovative and mighty effective! Speared in by Linde, full and on leg. Jos Buttler brings out the reverse and executes it well, playing it wide of backward point for a four.

Just short! Tossed up, on leg. Gill steps out but is cramped for room. He whips it aerially to deep mid-wicket, where Mukul Choudhary runs in off the ropes and dives but the ball drops short. He gets his body behind the ball and the ball does not go past him. They cross.

FIFTY FOR BUTTLER! 100th fifty in T20 cricket for Jos to go with 8 hundreds. An enterprising knock from GT's number 3 and his knock has taken some load off the captain. Drops it short, on off. This is cut away to deep point for a single by Jos.

Darted in from around the wicket, shorter and on off. Jos punches it down the strip. George Linde dives to his left to make the stop.

Turn for Linde! Drifting in, full and landing just outside the line of the leg stump. Jos looks to flick it away but is squared up by the turn and wears it on the back leg.

Gujarat Titans need 44 runs from 42 balls, almost run-a-ball from here, with 9 wickets in hand. George Linde (2-0-21-0) is back on, replacing Avesh Khan.

At 91.7 kph, on the shorter side, on middle. Gill waits on it on the back foot and nudges it with soft hands in the vacant mid-wicket region for a brace. Another productive over for GT. 11 runs off it. They are going along nicely in this chase.

Full and a bit too straight, on the pads. Shubman clips it with his wrists between deep mid-wicket and long on and comes back for the second run.

Very full, at the toes. This is driven down to long on for a run.

FOUR! Up and over! Looped up, full and wide on off. Jos Buttler pounces on it as he reaches out in front and plays the lofted drive over extra cover for a boundary. Jos has really put his foot down.

Wide! Down leg, full in length. Jos misses the glance.

On a length, around middle and leg. Shubman steps out and looks to go over cover but ends up hitting it a lot straighter to long off. Single taken.

Sliding down leg, it is the googly. Shubman Gill gets down on a knee and goes hard on the sweep but misses. The ball clips his pads and deflects off the keeper's pads to short third.

FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of fours. Fuller than the previous ball but right in the arc, on off. Buttler holds his shape and swings through the line. Launches it over wide mid off for another boundary. 16 runs off the over. GT need 55 runs off 48 balls.

FOUR! Two in two for Buttler. Skidding through, on a hard length, outside off. Jos gets on his toes to get on top of the bounce and punches it sweetly wide of backward point for four more. That brings up 14,000 T20 runs for Buttler.

FOUR! Smart batting! Avesh rolls his fingers over the ball and goes into the strip, outside off. Jos Buttler stays leg side of the ball and hops to play the upper-cut fine of the man at short third for a four. 100 UP FOR GUJARAT TITANS!

Hurls it fuller now, on off. Jos extends his hands and slams it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs.

FIFTY FOR GILL! Back-to-back fifites for the GT captain. This is Gill's 28th IPL half century. He gets there in 34 balls. Not his most fluent knock but he has fought it out for his side. A bit more effort behind this ball by Avesh, on off. Shubman stands tall and jabs it wide of mid on for a single.

In the channel, on a short of a length. This is tapped to deep cover for a single. That brings up the 50-run partnership between Gill and Buttler.

Shorter and quicker, on middle. Buttler turns it through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

FOUR! Top shot! Flighted delivery, full and on the off stump. Buttler makes room and opens up the front hip to go inside out over cover for a boundary.

Good placement! This spins back in, on a good length, on middle. Jos Buttler rocks back and tucks it with soft hands in the vacant wide mid on region. The bowler and a couple of fielders converge. They end up colliding with each other but the second run was always on.

Flat and short, on off. Punched to cover by Jos.

Turning away a touch, full and on the off stump. Shubman Gill presses half-forward and drops it in front of for a quick single. Nicholas Pooran moves to his right and releases the ball while tumbling on the ground. It goes well wide of the keeper but it is backed up.

Change of ends for Digvesh Singh. Pushed through, angled in at the hips. Gill helps it to short fine leg.

Rises from a length, outside off. Buttler rides the bounce and taps it to mid off. At halfway, GT are 86/1, needing 79 runs from 60 balls.

FOUR! In the gap! Way too short and outside off. Buttler stands tall, fetches the ball and drags it across with a heave, piercing the gap between long on and deep mid-wicket for four more runs.

Spots Gill advance, does Avesh and he hits the deck very hard. Aims the bodyline to cramp him up. Shubman jabs it down to long on for a single.

Good bowling! Short ball, slower one, outside the off stump. Gill climbs the imaginary ladder and looks to upper cut but misses it to the keeper.

Excellent fielding by Markram in the deep! Short of a length, angling in and around middle. Shubman Gill plays the short-arm jab, looking to bisect deep mid-wicket and long on. Aiden Markram from the former position charges across and stops it with a dive. More importantly, he saves two for his side.

WIDE! Tries the slower one, short and wide enough to breach the tramline. Gill aborts to play at it. Wide called.

On a back of a length, outside off. Gill stands tall and knocks it solidly to the cover fielder.

Time for pace as Avesh Khan has been called into the attack. Avesh has dismissed Gill 4 times in 9 innings in the IPL.

Closer to the off pole, on a length, at 87.3 kph. Jos Buttler camps back and bunts it back to Linde. A better finish after going for a couple of boundaries in the first three balls. 9 runs from the over.

Flighted delivery, on middle and full, Jos Buttler drives inside out to short extra cover.

A bit quicker and fuller, on middle. Buttler gets forward and pushes it to mid off.

FOUR! Classic cut shot! Linde bowls short and outside off, Jos Buttler, just like a hot knife through butter, cuts it off the back foot, beating backward point to his right for a boundary.

Flattens the trajectory and drags the length back, on off. Shubman Gill knocks it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Carved away! Pitched full and just outside off. Shubman Gill shimmies down the track and tries to go up and over cover, but slices it over backward point and the ball keeps skipping away to the fence.

A touch short, on middle. Gill gets across on the back foot and bunts it down the ground, to the left of mid on for a single. A good over from Digvesh. Just 5 singles from it. GT need 96 runs from 72 balls.

Full and on leg. Jos flicks it away through mid on for a single.

Quicker on the stumps, eased away to long on for a single.

Oh, what happened there? Flicked through the fingers by Digvesh, on a fractionally fuller length, just outside off. Jos Buttler is hurried into the shot, trying to punch it to the off side, but gets a thin outside edge. The ball deflects onto Pant's right thigh and lobs over his head. Pant is not aware where the ball is and is late to realise that it drops behind him a bit far. They cross for a single.

Flat and short, sliding on the pads. Gill gets on the back foot and gets a bit of inside edge onto the thigh pad before the ball rolls to the backward square leg region for a single.

At 93 kph, this is pushed fuller and on off. Gill taps it gently to backward point.

STRATEGIC BREAK! After a quiet start to the chase, the Gujarat Titans have picked up pace nicely, and the chase is well on track. Lucknow Super Giants will need wickets at regular intervals to stay in the contest. They will hope this break in play brings one for them, and from there, they can apply the squeeze in the middle phase just the way GT did to them earlier. Digvesh Singh will resume proceedings after the break.

Pitched fuller and around off, Gill caresses it through wide mid off for an easy single. 12 runs from Linde's first.

FOUR! Pierced through the gap! At 88 kph, short and outside off. Shubman Gill gets enough width to deal with and late cuts it off the back foot. Finds the gap between short third and backward point for a boundary. Moves to 36 from 20, does the GT skipper.

The dipping arm ball, full and on leg. Nicely flicked along the ground by Buttler to deep mid-wicket. Easy single.

Nicely flighted on a fuller length, at 87 kph, on middle. Gill lunges forward and defends off the inner half. The ball rolls to the mid-wicket region and they steal a run.

Short again, spinning away, outside off. Buttler hangs back and cuts it to deep point for one more.

FOUR! Beats two fielders! Short and wide on off, Jos Buttler uses the depth of the crease and cuts it late, beating backward point to his right and deep cover's chase to his left for a four.

A bit too full, on the stumps, Buttler chips it on the bounce to long on for a single. GT end their Powerplay with 52/1 on the board.

FOUR! Oh, that's a beautiful stroke! Digvesh dishes out a googly, on a length, spinning in from off to middle. Jos Buttler is quick to rock back and punches it crisply through the covers for a boundary. 50 UP FOR GUJARAT TITANS!

A slider on the leg stump, Shubman Gill flicks this full ball to the left of the diving mid-wicket fielder for a run.

Pushed full and on middle. Buttler leans on and pushes it between mid off and extra cover for a run to get his first run.

Leg break, short and outside off. Buttler hangs back and punches it to short extra cover.

In walks Jos Buttler. A slip in place for the new batter.

OUT! TAKEN! GT lose Sudharsan off a soft dismissal. Not the best of balls Digvesh has bowled. It is dragged down on leg. Sai Sudharsan swivels on the back foot to help it over short fine leg but hits it off the inner half of the bat. It lobs over the fielder, where Avesh Khan leaps and takes the catch over his head. Gujarat Titans are 45/1 in the chase of 165.

A 20-run Shami over gets GT motoring along well now. Time for spin then. Digvesh Singh will bowl the final over of the Powerplay. He replaces Prince Yadav.

FOUR! 25 runs off the first 4 overs and 20 off this over alone! A half-volley, on the pads. Gill is too good a player to miss out. He has no intention of keeping it on the ground. He goes up and up over mid-wicket. Nicholas Pooran goes after it and puts in a dive but the ball touches the ropes before he can pull it back in.

FOUR! Gets it through! Gill is starting to come into his own. Shami pulls the length back, on off, Gill gets on top of the bounce and punches it right under his eyes. He gets it through covers and the deep point fielder is beaten to his right. 4,000 runs in IPL for Gill. At 26 years and 216 days old, he becomes the youngest to reach this landmark, according to Harsha Bhogle on air.

SIX! Hold the pose, Shubman! Fuller in length, on middle. Gill puts his head down and with a still head and a straight bat, he goes through the line of the ball. Lofts it over mid off and the ball lands on the boundary cushions on the full. The third umpire is called for a check and the six is confirmed.

FOUR! A poor delivery, and it gets the treatment. Mohammad Shami misses his mark. He slips it on the pads, on a length. Gill helps it down to the deep fine leg region, where the fielder in the deep is square.

In and around the off stump, on a nagging length. Shubman stabs it down on the off side.

Nice effort! Shami angles it in, on a short of a length, on middle. Gill plays the short-arm jab to the left of deep square leg. George Linde sprints and slides to his left in the deep. A half-stop initially by George and the ball threatens to trickle into the ropes but he recovers well to prevent the ball from touching the ropes. He saves a couple for his side.

It's been a slowish start for the Titans in their chase. After 4 overs, they are 25/0. At the same stage, LSG were 45/1. To LSG's delight, Mohammad Shami (2-0-10-0) is back on the field and is good to continue his spell as well.

FOUR! That has gone to the fence in a flash! Prince Yadav pushes it across the left-hander, fractionally short and equally wide. It is enough for Sudharsan to cash in as he frees his arms and cuts it through point for a boundary.

Slightly fuller, on off and middle. Gill works it across the line as he whips it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

Nice and tight from Prince, on top of off. Gill rides the bounce and punches it away, but can't beat the man at cover. Three dots in a row. You can sense the pressure building on Shubman.

Another sprint out to the middle for Patrick Farhart, the LSG physio. This time, for Prince Yadav, who is hit flush on his left thumb. But luckily, it is his non-bowling hand. Gets a bit of icing on the bruised area and is fine to continue for now. Also, Shami's right leg is getting strapped up as shown on air.

Hit hard and it goes down! This is fuller in length, on middle. Gill drills it back at the bowler. Prince Yadav sticks out his left hand on the follow-through and cops a blow flush on the left thumb before the ball drops beside the strip on the leg side.

Gill shimmies down the pitch but Prince does well to follow him with a good-length delivery. Shubman can only pat it to cover.

Full and angling away. Sai presses forward and plays the punchy drive wide of mid off. Aiden Markram moves to his right and dives. He makes a half-stop. There is an opportunity for the second run but Gill had run far past the stumps at the batting end and Aiden was quick to turn around. Keeps the batters down to a single.

Shami is walking off the field to get the medical attention. Not a good sign for LSG and they would hope that it is nothing serious. There's some issue with his right leg it seems. Shahbaz Ahamad walks in as the substitute fielder for Shami.

Tucking the batter up for room, on a short of a good length. Sai swivels hurriedly and pulls it wide of mid-wicket for just a single. A tidy over from Shami. Just 2 runs off it.

This is banged in short by Shami at 138.4 kph, on off. Sudharsan drops his wrists and lets it go.

Halt in play. The physio, Patrick Farhart, is out for Mohammad Shami. Could be an issue related to the hamstring. We are not sure about that. Shami chats with the physio and rehydrates himself. Though he walks back to the bowling mark a bit gingerly.

Across off, on a short of a length. Sudharsan flat bats it all along the ground to mid on.

Another shot played uppishly by the GT captain. At 140.8 kph, moving away a touch, outside off. Shubman plays it a bit early and in the air but well wide of point to his left. The batters cross as the ball rolls to deep backward point.

Honing in on top of off. Shubman gets on top of the bounce and taps it away to backward point.

Full and angled in, on middle. This is eased to mid on.

Oh, that could have gone anywhere! This is on a back of a length, on middle. Sudharsan hangs back to deal with it and looks to punch it down the strip. The ball stops on him and Sai chips it back in the direction of the bowler but away from him to his left.

Gill lets out a cry in anguish. He feels that he missed out. Prince goes into the surface but this sits up to be hit, on middle. Shubman goes a bit too hard on the pull and it goes off the inner half to deep backward square leg. Just a single.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Prince strays on the pads, full in length. Gill stays balanced at the crease and flicks it through square leg with ease for his first boundary.

Going away, on a good length. Sudharsan taps the ball on its head and steers it behind point before crossing over.

Shaping away, on a length, outside off. Gill dances down the track to force it through the off side. Gets it off the toe end to wide mid off for one.

Uppish but in the gap! At 138.2 kph, full and attacking the front pad. Gill brings his bat out in front and plays the flick well in front of the body. It goes aerially but between mid-wicket and mid on. Digvesh Singh gives chase and hauls it in. The GT skipper is away with a brace.

Positive start for the Titans in the chase. They need 157 from 114 balls. Here's Prince Yadav into the attack.

FOUR! An ordinary finish to the over from Shami. Floated up by there, full and wide on off. Sudharsan needs no second invitation as he creams the drive through covers for a boundary.

Good effort! Pushes the length further up, in line with the off stump. Sai squeezes it out with an open bat face as one hand comes off the bat handle. Nicholas Pooran moves to his left and makes a diving stop at point to save at least a couple of runs.

Pace off this time, pushed across off the left-hander, Sai lunges and steers it watchfully to backward point.

Shami gets away with it! This is short and wide on off, there to be put away. Sai stands tall and cracks the cut but the man at cover makes the stop.

FOUR! Sudharsan and GT are underway! Width offered by Shami, on the fuller side. Sai extends his hands into the drive and just caresses it between cover and mid off for the first boundary of the chase.

Shami gets the ball to curve back in first up. Pitched on a length, on middle and leg. Sai makes use of the swing and clips it to mid-wicket.

Another bye stolen. Sharma serves the short ball, outside off. Shami flays at it but connects with thin air and Avesh Khan calls him through for a bye. Jos Buttler lobs the ball towards the bowler but Sharma is not aware of the situation. He belatedly gets low to gather the ball but the ball bursts through his hands. It dribbles to mid off and Shami gets home at the bowling end. LSG finish with 164/8.

Two wides! Ashok goes full this time but the line is around the pads. Avesh hops inside the line and as the ball dribbles towards the keeper, the batters sneak in a bye. GT review the wide call. The third umpire is summoned for a check and he feels that the ball would not have hit Avesh had he stayed in his normal stance. The on-field call stays.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Ashok looks to bowl that hard-length delivery but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. Avesh makes room for himself and he crunches it with a straight bat back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Avesh Khan walks in at number 10, with 2 balls left in the innings.

OUT! CAUGHT! George Linde holes out, but not without making an impact. Ashok comes from around the wicket and bowls the back-of-the-hand slower delivery. It comes out as a low full toss but it drops on the batter. Linde has a heave across the line but skies it off the toe end of the blade. Shahrukh Khan runs across to his left from long on and takes the catch by sliding forward.

FOUR! GT are bleeding runs towards the end. 37 runs off the last 15 balls. Ashok errs in his line, full and on the pads. Linde does not miss out as he helps it over the man at short fine leg inside the circle for a boundary.

PUT DOWN! Rashid Khan shells a sitter. This is on a hard length, on off. Shami makes room and slaps it away. He fails to get the desired power on the shot and it goes straight down the throat of deep point, where it goes in and out of Rashid's hands. Single taken.

SIX! Sweetly struck! Ashok angles a full ball into the right-hander at pace. Shami keeps a stable head and just picks it up off the pads nonchalantly over backward square leg for a six.

Righto, final over coming up. How many more can LSG add from here? Ashok Sharma (3-0-15-1) to wrap up.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! A bit too predictable from Prasidh Krishna. Pace off and into the surface, over middle. Linde backs away early and waits for the ball to arrive before playing the upper-cut over the keeper for a four. A wicket off the first ball but the over goes for 15 runs. Prasidh Krishna finishes his spell with figures of 4-0-28-4.

In the air...but safe! Off-cutter, running across the left-hander. Linde attempts the pull to this short ball but fails to get on top of the bounce. Skews it off a top edge but evades the back-tracking Shahrukh Khan at short fine leg. George collects a couple.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Too straight, on a length, on the pads. George Linde just has to get some bat on it and he glances it down to deep fine leg for a boundary.

Krishna sticks to the hard length, on middle. Shami mows it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Easy as you like! On a hard length, on off. Shami hangs back and steers it with an open bat face ot the left of backward point for a boundary.

Not to be for Mukul today. And with that fourth wicket, Prasidh Krishna claims the Purple Cap for now, completing 10 wickets this season and going past Ravi Bishnoi of RR. Mohammad Shami walks in at number 9.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Wicket number 4 for Prasidh Krishna. Off-cutter and it is slammed into the surface, over middle. Mukul Choudhary gets his hands high to get on top of the bounce and keep the pull along the ground. It would have been a wide had Choudhary left it. Mukul flays at it and feathers it behind to the keeper, Jos Buttler, who does the rest.

It's just been that kind of day for Rabada. When every bowler has been economical, he has made to travel all round the park. Prasidh Krishna (3-0-13-3) to bowl the 19th over.

Oh, dear! What happened there? Kagiso Rabada is in disbelief. Fuller and on middle. Mukul Choudhary has a swipe across the line as he aims to go over square leg. Skies it in front of the man in the deep. Washington Sundar loses the ball in the sun, and it drops well in front of him. Not sure it would have carried to him had he picked it early. Just a single.

Rabada delivers it on a short of a length, outside off. George Linde goes for the pull but chops it down beside the strip on the leg side off an inside edge. They cross.

Hits the bat hard, does Kagiso, across off. Linde stabs it down the strip.

Slower, short ball, outside off. Mukul is early into the stroke and drags the pull through square leg for one more.

On a hard length, outside off. Choudhary pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

SIX! Dispatched! Kagiso Rabada looks to go into the wicket but this sits up to be hit, around the waist height, outside off. Choudhary gets hold of it nicely and pulls it over square leg for a biggie.

Rapped on the pads! A prolonged appeal from Ashok Sharma but the umpire turns it down. That seems to have pitched outside leg and looked a bit high as well. GT do not take the review. On a nagging length, landing in and around the line of the leg stump. Linde looks to work it away on the leg side but is beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the back leg.

Lands it on a short of a length, outside off. Choudhary extends his hands and guides it in front of point for a run.

At the batter, on a shortish length, George pulls it down to deep backward square leg and gets off the mark with a single.

Across the left-hander, on a back of a length. Linde hops back and pivots for the pull but is beaten for pace as the ball goes under the blade.

A sluggish inning from Samad comes to an end. And LSG utilise their Impact Sub option by bringing in George Linde. In fact, GT also use their Impact Sub option, swapping in Shahrukh Khan. For LSG - IN - George Linde | OUT - Ayush Badoni. For GT - IN - Shahrukh Khan | OUT - Mohammed Siraj.

Mohammed Siraj is substituted by Shahrukh Khan

Ayush Badoni is substituted by George Linde

OUT! CAUGHT! Another LSG batter falls to the short ball. Ashok slips in the short ball with an upright seam, outside off. Abdul stands tall and swivels for the pull. He gets the connection right but fails to pick the gap. Hits it flat and straight to deep mid-wicket, where Glenn Phillips gobbles it up. Ashok has his first wicket of the day. LSG are now 118/6.

A mandatory concussion test for Mukul. The physio is out there to check him up. Mukul looks fine to continue.

Leg bye! This seems to be a well-thought-out plan from GT. Ashok Sharma bangs it in short at 150.5 kph, at the bodyline of the batter. Mukul Choudhary sways away as he swings across the line. He is beaten for pace, and the ball pings him on the helmet before rolling down to deep third for a leg bye.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Just 57/3 for Lucknow Super Giants since the last break, just shows how dominant the Titans' bowling has been in this middle phase. Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna, in particular, completely choked the runs, with Krishna picking up important wickets as well. Mohammed Siraj has finished a frugal spell after being smashed for a hundred runs in the last two matches. So it's been a collective effort with the ball from the visitors, barring Rabada, who has leaked too many today. Abdul Samad and Mukul Choudhary will look to bat till the end and get the score above that 150-run mark at least. They do have the impact option of George Linde who is no mug with the bat as well, if a wicket falls here. Ashok Sharma to bowl after the break.

Nice and full at pace, outside off. Choudhary taps it to the right of cover and scampers to the other end. End of a good outing with the ball for Siraj in energy-sapping conditions. He finishes with figures of 4-0-19-1.

Siraj bends his back and goes short, over middle. Abdul Samad arches back to play the upper-cut but the off-cutter spins back to cramp him for room. It goes off the top edge to short fine leg. They cross.

Fuller in length, in the channel, Mukul pushes it wide of cover and crosses over.

FOUR! A lucky boundary. A well-directed short ball, over the right shoulder. Mukul Choudhary tries to take it on but fails to get on top of it. The ball gets big on him and flies off the top edge over the keeper for a four.

On a good length, on off. Mukul Choudhary dabs it to backward point.

Mukul was gone had the throw hit! A bit of tail back in, full and on off. Choudhary jams it out beside the strip on the off side. Ashok Sharma charges across to his right from the catching cover position and picks the ball up. Mukul is sent back as Sharma fires in a throw at the batting end but misses, allowing the batter to get home.

Mohammed Siraj to bowl out now. His figures read 3-0-12-1 so far.

On a length, wide outside off, Samad stabs it off the back foot to backward point. Krishna continues to shine. Just 1 single and a wicket from it. 3-0-13-3 for Prasidh so far.

Full and straight on off, Mukul flicks it through mid on for a single.

Into the surface, on off. Mukul Choudhary lets it be.

In walks the hero of LSG's win against KKR. Here is Mukul Choudhary.

OUT! TAKEN EASILY! Krishna has his third wicket and is delighted. Dug in short with pace taken off and angled across Pooran. He looks to swat it away like a tennis forehand down the line, but ends up lobbing a simple catch to mid off. Gill moves a bit to his left and gathers a safe catch. Pooran's struggle comes to an end in what has been an underwhelming season for him. Lucknow Super Giants lose half their side on 109.

Back of a length on the leg stump at 136.2 kph. Pooran looks to pull but misses and wears it on his body.

BEATEN ALL ENDS UP! A 137.7kph length ball, jags in sharply off the surface, beats the inside edge as Pooran looks to block, and goes through untouched.

A half chance! A good length googly just outside off and Samad goes back in the crease, punching it straight back down the pitch. Rashid dives to his right in his follow through, gets his right hand on it but cannot hold on. A tough return catch goes down. Rashid is done with his spell. 4-0-25-0 for him.

Tossed up, on off, Nicholas slams it to long off for a single.

Short and on off, that is punched off the back foot but straight to the point fielder.

SIX! That's massive! Into the slot, a wrong'un, on off. Nicholas Pooran picks the googly, gets on the front foot and smokes it behind long off for a big six.

SIX! High and long enough! Nicely flighted on a fuller length, outside off. Nicholas Pooran gets under the ball but is not fully up to the pitch of the ball. Still launches it high down the ground. The long on fielder leaps full-stretch, but the ball just has enough distance to sail over the ropes. 100 UP FOR LSG!

Pushed full and on off, Nicholas Pooran leans and smothers the googly to point.

Slower length ball, around off. Samad guides it gently to backward point.

Was there a sound? Kagiso Rabada thinks so. Jos Buttler isn't that interested, but Shubman Gill takes the bowler's word and goes for the review. A proper short ball, around the right shoulder. Abdul Samad hops and gets his hands high to fend it down as the ball flies past him. No need to go to the UltraEdge as the replays show daylight between the bat and the ball. GT burn a review.

FOUR! Nothing streaky about this one. A cross-seam short ball, on middle. Abdul Samad stands tall and heaves it over wide mid on. Rashid Khan seems to have lost the ball in the sun and is late to charge to his left from deep mid-wicket. By the time he gets there, the ball bounces into the fence for four.

FOUR! Off the edge, but a boundary after ages for the Super Giants. Back of a length, outside off, Abdul Samad gets half-forward and tries to punch it on the rise to the off side, but gets a big outside edge and it beats the deep third fielder for a boundary.

Short into the pitch, cramping the batter for room, on middle and leg. Pooran dinks it behind to short fine leg for a single.

Nagging length, just outside off. Pooran hops on the toes and bunts it to backward point.

Dishes out a leg break, on a length, Samad rocks back and punches it back to Rashid. Excellent going from the Titans in this middle phase.

Wrong'un on a fuller length, outside off. Nicholas Pooran chop-cuts it to cover-point for a quick single.

Full on the off stump, pushed to the point fielder.

A googly now, on a length, on middle. Samad goes back and across and tucks it through wide mid on for a single.

From around the stumps now. Full and floated around off. Pooran crouches low and carves it flatly to the right of the bowler for a single down to long off.

Full and drifting on the pads. Abdul Samad knocks it back past the bowler's left for a single.

Rashid Khan to continue. LSG are going nowhere with their innings. 23/2 in the 5 overs since the end of the Powerplay. Something has got to give here. Will Pooran go after Rashid in an attempt to break free? Let's find out.

At 149.4 kph, this is dug in short and it keeps taking off. Pooran ducks under it to leave.

Extra heat! Skiddy length ball that hurries Pooran onto the pull shot. He misses to connect and is hit around his midriff.

Angled on the leg stump, on top of the stumps. Abdul Samad again moves across the line and again misses to flick it away. Gets hit on the front thigh and it rolls to square leg. They get a leg bye.

In front of the sticks, on a slightly fuller length, nipping from outside off. Abdul Samad gets across and tries to whip that to the leg side, but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.

Back of a length, on the pads, Samad tucks this along the grass to deep backward square leg for two runs.

Hard length, in line of the stumps. Samad hops on the toes and tucks it to the right of the bowler.

Halfway through. GT are well-placed at this stage with the Super Giants crawling at 80/4, desperately searching for momentum. Ashok Sharma (1-0-11-0) returns to the attack, replacing Prasidh Krishna.

Drops it short now and it is slower, outside off. Samad presses back and knocks it to long on for one more. Just 3 runs off Rashid's 2nd over.

Tossed up now, fuller and on off. Abdul works it to mid-wicket off the front foot.

Pushed through, on off. Abdul steers it to backward point off the outer half.

Out comes the googly, shorter and on off. Samad cuts but can't beat backward point.

Flighted delivery, full on leg, Pooran clips it through square leg for a run.

Tossed up, on off, Samad looks to play the cover drive. Miscues it off the inner half to mid on for one.

Gets away with it, does Prasidh. Too straight, at the hips. Nicholas fails to lay any bat on the tickle and the ball brushes the pads on its way to the keeper.

Dug in short, over middle. Nicholas Pooran rises with the bounce and stabs it down on the off side.

Drags the length back now, on off. Samad runs it down to deep third for a run.

Very full, on off. Samad squeezes it out wide of cover for a couple of runs to get off the mark.

45/1 becomes 74/4 for the Lucknow Super Giants. GT are firmly ahead in the contest now. Abdul Samad comes in at number 6.

OUT! CAUGHT! Wickets off successive overs for Prasidh Krishna. Not all that short, this is more on a hard length, on middle. Badoni is denied the room to get his hands through the ball in the desired fashion on the pull. The ball catches him high on the bat and it goes flat to deep square leg. Glenn Phillips is looking into the sun and he goes the other way initially before recovering well to get to the ball by moving to his left. He has his shades on and takes the catch around his chest.

Tucking the batter up for room, on a hard length, on middle. Badoni knocks it back to Prasidh.

Sent back! At 95.3 kph, across off, on a good length. Nicky P taps it in front of point and sets off for the run before being sent back by Badoni and rightly so, as the fielder was quick to get to the ball. A tidy first over from Rashid, just 5 runs off it.

Wrong'un, floated up, on middle. Ayush sweeps it to deep square leg and picks up another single.

Shorter and on middle. Nicholas dabs it in front of cover-point and crosses over.

Turning away, on a good length, outside off. Ayush whips it to wide mid on for another single.

Slower and this is the googly, on a length. Pooran goes back and drops it with soft hands beside the strip on the leg side. He takes a quick single to open his account.

Rashid begins on a nagging length, on off. Badoni pushes it to long on for a single.

So LSG have lost their top three now. And the man searching for some form, Nicholas Pooran, is in at number 5. Rashid Khan is brought into the attack now, replacing Ashok Sharma.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Krishna has the last laugh as he breaks a budding partnership and more importantly, the aggressor between both is removed. A short ball outside off. Markram stands tall, picking up the length early before unleashing the pull shot in the air towards deep mid-wicket. But he does not time it from the middle of the bat and finds Washington Sundar at deep mid-wicket, who takes the catch around his chest. Krishna lets out a big roar as it is Markram who has to walk back. Lucknow Super Giants are 69/3 in 7 overs.

FOUR! Uppish but safe! This is on a short of a length, on off. Aiden Markram looks to play it on the rise. He is slightly early into the stroke and he cannot keep it on the ground. The man at extra cover leaps to his right and sticks the right hand over his head but the ball evades him and races away.

FOUR! Glenn Phillips nearly pulled off a stunner. Prasidh Krishna slides on the pads, on the fuller side. Aiden Markram plays the pick-up shot but gets the height and not the distance. Phillips sprints to his left from deep square leg and dives. He grabs hold of the ball but as his elbow hits the turf, the ball pops out and it trickles into the ropes.

A ripper from Prasidh! Angled in, on the off stump, on a good length. This nips away with extra bounce to square Markram up and he is beaten on the outside edge.

Around the pads, on a nagging length. Markram misses out on the tickle and the ball deflects off the pads to short fine leg.

Prasidh hits the back of a length, on middle. Badoni turns it through mid-wicket for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A pretty active Powerplay, with something for both sides to cheer upon. GT managed to get rid of Marsh and Pant after starts, while Markram's proactive batting has kept the Super Giants progressing at exactly 10s an over. And as per the on-air commentators, being 60/2 is LSG's best Powerplay score in this season of the IPL. So two in-form batters on the crease, and they will look to extend this partnership into something substantial. Gujarat Titans aim to pick wickets regularly and for that, they have now summoned Prasidh Krishna into the attack, who replaces Mohammed Siraj.

Sharma keeps the stumps in play and the length stays full. Ayush smears it off the inner half to the right of mid on for a single. LSG close out the Powerplay with a 12-run over. At the end of 6 overs, Lucknow are 60/2.

FOUR! Nicely done! Seam-up ball, Ashok looks to attack the stumps but ends up serving a juicy half-volley, on middle. Badoni gets his hands through the ball and firms the drive through covers for his first boundary.

Leg bye! Into the wicket, over middle. Aiden swivels for the pull but the ball does not rise as much as he expected. It sneaks under the blade and catches Markram on the midriff before rolling away on the off side. That would have hurt Markram but he did not react at all. They cross for a leg bye.

In and around the off stump, on a length, Aiden slices it nicely but can't beat the man at backward point.

SIX! A shot of high class! A bit too full, on off and middle. Aiden Markram holds his shape and goes through the line with a straight bat. The bat turns in his hand but he manages to clear the long on fence for a six. The 50 is up for LSG!

Sharp work! Ashok starts with a full ball, around off. Markram leans into the drive and picks the bones out of it but he picks out Glenn Phillips at cover-point, who gets low to make the stop to his right.

Nips in from a length, on off, Badoni arches back and cuts it straight to the point fielder. Just 3 runs and a wicket from Siraj's third. His figures read 3-0-12-1 so far.

Siraj looks spent as he walks back to his mark.

WIDE! Over-the-head bumper, outside off. Badoni looks to pull it across but it keeps climbing on the batter and he misses. Wide called. But Siraj is seemingly not happy with the decision.

Slightly back of a length, on the stumps, Badoni hangs back and bunts it back to the bowler.

Good length, over off, Markram with a crisp back foot punch to mid off's right and sprints to the other end for a single.

A skiddy length ball, on the off stump. It rushes Markram, and he can only work it to mid-wicket.

Good length, slanted into the body. Badoni tries to tuck it into the leg side, but misses and the ball deflects off the thigh pad to square leg for a leg bye.

Siraj dismisses Pant for the 5th time in the IPL, according to Raunak Kapoor. Ayush Badoni makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND TAKEN! Pant falls after a decent start and Siraj has his first. Fuller and around the off pole from Siraj. Rishabh Pant tries to dump that over long off into the stands, but his bat turns at the point of impact. He ends up hitting it high up in the air towards extra cover. Rahul Tewatia keeps his eyes locked on the ball, and despite taking a bit of a tumble, he manages to cling to it. Lucknow Super Giants are 45/2.

Siraj to continue. His third over on the trot. 2-0-10-0 so far for the Indian pacer.

FOUR! Rabada continues to leak runs. Bowls it a lot fuller and angles on the pads. Aiden Markram whips it to the deep backward square leg fence for another boundary. 15 runs from the over. 2-0-34-1 for Rabada so far.

Missed out! Too straight from Rabada again, angling into the pads. Markram looks to play the pick-up shot to this full ball but misses and wears it on the front pad.

FOUR! Lovely stroke! Pushed full and straight on the leg stump. Aiden Markram uses his bottom hand to flick it over mid-wicket for four runs. Didn't try to hit it too hard, just timed the ball so well.

Good length, on the stumps, worked into the leg side, to deep mid-wicket for a run.

SIX! Dismissed out of his presence! Bangs in short and on top of off, with a little bit of pace taken off. Rishabh Pant waits on it and nails the pull shot into the stands behind deep mid-wicket for a six.

Full and on leg, at 139.6 kph. Rishabh Pant tries to whip that over backward square leg, but misses and is struck on the front pad.

A tight single! Climbs onto the batter, short and on middle. Pant pulls it to short fine leg and calls Markram through for a single. It is a flighted throw to the bowling end from the fielder, which goes over the stumps and allows Pant to get home safely.

Got into a bit of a tangle there! Short from Siraj now, angling outside off. Pant goes for a half-hearted pull shot and bottom edges it back to the bowler.

Jags in late on a hard length, at 139.7 kph, over middle. Aiden Markram taps it in front of mid on for a quick run.

Short of a length, angling across, Rishabh Pant dabs it behind point for a single.

Pant tries to scoop this full ball over short fine leg, but it bounces a bit more than Pant expected and he inside edges it onto his body.

FOUR! All class! A juicy half volley from Siraj, outside off. Rishabh Pant takes a big stride out, keeps his head stable and creams it through the gap between mid off and cover for a boundary. Everything perfect about that shot.

FOUR! Placed to perfection! Drifts one onto the pads, short in length. Aiden Markram uses the pace, gets inside the line and helps it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. 19 runs and a wicket from Rabada's first. Been all or nothing for him.

Across off, on a length, Rishabh Pant scythes it away to deep backward point for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! On a good length, over off. Rishabh Pant dances down the track and smashes it over mid off for a four to open his account.

An early wicket for Kagiso Rabada. That will do his confidence a lot of good, given his recent struggles. LSG's captain, Rishabh Pant comes out to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! A soft dismissal and Rabada roars back in style. This is bowled on the fuller side with a microscopic movement away from the batter, around off. Mitchell Marsh tries to loft it over the mid off fielder, but does not properly get under it and the ball probably holds in the surface a touch as well. He ends up slicing it straight to Shubman Gill stationed at mid off. The GT skipper makes no mistake. Lucknow Super Giants are 14/1.

FOUR! Edgy, but adds four to Marsh's account! Back of a length, just outside off. It skids a bit and nips in. Marsh tries to punch off the back foot, but gets a fat inside edge and it runs past the leg pole to the deep fine leg fence.

SIX! A Marsh special! Rabada bowls a full ball, on middle. Mitchell Marsh plays with a straight bat and launches it over long on for the first six of the match.

A quiet first over of the game. Here's Kagiso Rabada from the other end.

BEATEN! Gets the ball to kick up and move away from off, on a hard length. Aiden Markram is taken aback by that and loosely hangs his bat away from his body, only to get beaten on the outside edge. A rhythmic over from Siraj to set the tone.

Around leg, on a length, at 136.8 kph. Marsh turns it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A skiddy length ball on the off stump. It hurries Markram up, hitting him on the thigh pad. He looks to work it through the on side but is beaten by the pace, and they sneak in a leg bye as the ball drops on the off side.

First runs for LSG and Markram! Back of a length, a lot straighter onto the pads. Aiden Markram tucks it between mid-wicket and deep square leg. Prasidh Krishna runs across in the deep to his left and dives to stop the ball. Keeps it down to a couple of runs.

A tad fuller than the previous ball, on off, Aiden Markram lets the ball curve away and then knocks it straight to mid off.

Just a hint of outswing, on a hard length, around middle and off. Aiden Markram punches it solidly down the pitch.

We are all set for the action to begin. It is a hot afternoon, with temperatures around 36 degrees Celsius, but it feels even hotter. One feels that has played a part in the stands not being full just yet, but they should fill up as the evening sets in. Shubman Gill has gathered his men in a huddle near the ropes. Out walk the two LSG openers, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. Mohammed Siraj will open the attack for GT. Markram will face the first ball. There is a slip in place, and a man not far away from him at short third. Here we go!

Impact player options for LSG - Manimaran Siddharth, George Linde, Shahbaz Ahamad, Mayank Yadav, Matthew Breetzke.

Lucknow Super Giants (Unchanged Playing XI) - Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Avesh Khan, Mohammad Shami, Digvesh Singh, Prince Yadav.

Impact player options for GT - Shahrukh Khan, Manav Suthar, Jason Holder, Kulwant Khejroliya, Anuj Rawat.

Gujarat Titans (Unchanged Playing XI) - Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma, Prasidh Krishna.

The last win showed LSG's character - The skipper of the Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant says that with the way wickets are these days, the margin between batting and bowling first is not much, but they would have opted to bowl first as well. Reflecting on the last game, he calls it an amazing feeling, adding that every win matters and that pulling through in tight moments is a reflection of the team's character. He says the focus is to move on and take it one game at a time. On winning three successive games against GT, Pant says it is a great boost but stresses the team must continue giving their best regardless. He points out that wickets and conditions can vary each time, and what the team always comes back to is intent. He expresses pride in seeing his players put their bodies on the line out in the field. Informs that they are going with the same playing XI.

GT strive for consistency - The captain of the Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill says it looks like a good wicket and feels it is better to have a total on the board to chase, which is why they have opted to bowl first. Gill says that every two points are crucial. Adds that the first couple of games, which they lost, were also close, and it was a relief to get that first win. He shares that they are looking to improve so that games do not go down to the wire as often. Shubman also reflects on the tremendous consistency the team has shown since the league's inception. The GT skipper stresses that consistency is the most important factor and something they continue to strive for. Informs that they are unchanged for this game.

TOSS - It's toss time in Lucknow. Both captains - Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are out in the middle with the team sheets exchanged. Rishabh gives it a flick and Gill calls Heads. It lands as Heads. GUJARAT TITANS ELECT TO BOWL FIRST.

From the other camp - It's LSG's Aiden Markram for a chat. Markram says he does enjoy batting at the top and that it is nice to be back there. He adds that he is happy to do whatever is needed for the team balance, even if that means dropping down the order. Markram mentions that he has grown close to Mitchell Marsh over the last couple of years, calling him a great man, and says they enjoy similar things off the field. Aiden says he is ready to contribute with the ball as well, but a big part of him hopes he is not needed, as that would mean the top five have done their job and the team is bowling well collectively. However, if called upon, he is ready to step in.

A quick word - ​​​​​GT's Washington Sundar reflects on the team's last victory, noting that a lot of things were running through their minds in terms of how close the contest became, but says the bowlers performed exceptionally well under pressure. He highlights Prasidh Krishna's execution in the final over, where he successfully defended 12 runs despite being penalised to have five fielders inside the circle. Sundar says that at this level of play, skill is a given, so success depends primarily on decision-making and the specific choice of delivery in crucial moments. Discussing the team's mindset, Sundar stresses that the players cannot get ahead of themselves because the tournament is long. Adds that winning one game does not guarantee a streak, just as a loss should not result in a total collapse of morale. Washington believes the strength of the Gujarat Titans lies in their collective effort and their focus on consistently doing the right things over and over again to achieve positive results. On his batting and the work that has gone into it, Sundar details that it is simply about going out there and putting out the best energy. He believes in letting his instincts take over and says there is not a lot he has specifically worked on. The focus, he says, especially mentally, has been to step onto the field in the right headspace and express himself freely.

PITCH REPORT - Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop gives us a lowdown of the conditions. He shares that it is pretty warm out in the middle. He mentions that the square boundaries are short, which is slightly surprising, with 60 metres on one side and 61 metres on the other, while the straight hit is 76 metres. Ian observes that at one end, the pitch is a bit greener, but as we go further down, it is dry. Former Aussie captain Michael Clarke shares his inputs. He says it looks quite dry, with mixed clay, but adds that he spoke to a couple of players who said the spikes were not going in, which indicates how hard the surface is. Clarke believes that the wicket will play a lot better than it looks and that we might see a little bit of turn, especially with it being an afternoon game.

Under the scanner - For LSG, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh have been doing all the heavy lifting, scoring the third most runs in an opening partnership in IPL since 2025. But their middle order has actually been a touch undercooked. And the name that stands out most uncomfortably is Nicholas Pooran. A highest score of 33 across his last 12 T20 innings, stretching back through the recent SA20 season, tells the story of a batter still searching for the switch. For Gujarat, the rhythm is gradually returning. Buttler is finding his range, and Prasidh Krishna is beginning to hit his straps with the ball. But the one man truly itching to make a statement is Mohammed Siraj. He has leaked exactly 100 runs in just eight overs across the last two matches, which is not a number a bowler of his calibre can sit comfortably with. Expect him to come out with something to prove. With two crucial points up for grabs, let’s see who trumps this one. Toss and teams up next shortly.

Pace vs Top 3 - One of the defining battles of this game could unfold inside the first six overs. Lucknow’s pace battery has been among the most difficult to negotiate in the Powerplay this season, and leading that charge is Mohammad Shami. Back in familiar surroundings, bowling with the new ball, Shami has been suffocating. His economy has been 5.3 so far, and he has bowled the most dots this year. For Gujarat’s top three, who have been the heartbeat of their campaign, this is where the real examination begins. Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler have punished pace elsewhere this season. Also, GT’s top order (1-3) has scored the most runs among the 10 teams in IPL since 2025, averaging 50.1. While LSG’s own top order isn’t far behind, averaging 40.9, which makes this duel all the more exciting.

Test of momentum in Lucknow - It’s Super Sunday and we’re back with the double header treat for all of you. Two back-to-back humdingers are in the waiting, so hop on with us. It all starts here at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium as Lucknow Super Giants host Gujarat Titans in the 19th match of the season. It will then be followed by one of the marquee clashes between MI and RCB in Mumbai. But first, it’s a test of momentum here in the heat of Lucknow. LSG have won two on the trot to get things going, and both those wins have come while chasing, whereas GT narrowly got on the board as well, having one win in three. On that note, hello and welcome to our coverage.

... MATCH DAY ...

Another thriller in the making - The IPL never runs out of moments that pull you to the edge and keep you there. It is a stage where belief finds its spotlight and fresh faces rise with fearless intent. Two of the newest franchises are all set to go up against each other in Match 19. Lucknow Super Giants face Gujarat Titans at the Ekana Stadium, and this already feels like a contest that will stretch every nerve. Both these teams have the winning momentum, but fairly, those wins were extremely hard-earned ones in matches that went absolutely down to the wire. They say it’s not over until the last ball is bowled, and both their last matches were decided in the final ball of the game. Where the Titans won a last-ball humdinger against the Capitals, by defending 2 off the final ball, the Super Giants just edged past the Knight Riders in a stunning heist orchestrated by young blood when the hopes had almost turned into ashes. As things stand, the Super Giants have two wins in three, while the Titans have won one in three matches. This will be LSG’s second home game, and they would be keen to stay unbeaten this season, having previously defeated the Sunrisers in a commanding fashion. For GT, this is their third game on the road, having lost and won apiece in away matches. A rising star among marquee names - In a batting lineup filled with established names, slightly tilted towards the top, with the likes of Marsh, Markram, Pant, and Pooran, it was the young blood that stole the story. Ayush Badoni first laid the foundation with a composed half century, holding things together when it mattered. Then came a name that few had on their radar. Mukul Choudhary. The youngster from Jhunjhunu stepped in and flipped the game against KKR with some audacious ball hitting. He was picked by the scouts for moments like these, and he delivered instantly. What adds another layer to it is how little exposure he has had under lights, with just one such game before this season. Yet, when the stage demanded courage, he did not hesitate. Defying odds - The biggest concern for the Lucknow Super Giants coming into this season was how they would cope with their bowling unit which is slightly on the inexperienced side. Barring Mohammad Shami and Avesh Khan, it looked thin on paper, but the players coming through the domestic pipeline have put their hands up and made the world look at them. Prince Yadav has bowled some absolute bazookas and is LSG’s best bowler so far in the season, with 5 wickets in three games. Whereas the spinners in Digvesh Singh and Manimaran Siddharth have been frugal as well. And then there is Mohammad Shami, who has quietly set the tone. Just 64 runs conceded in 12 overs across three games tells its own story. The Powerplay returns of 33/4, 22/3, and 56/1 underline how effectively LSG have managed the early overs, a crucial factor given the relative inexperience in the rest of the attack. Home, not so sweet home - While LSG have held their own away from home, the Ekana Stadium has not quite turned into a fortress. The numbers paint a worrying picture, with just three wins in their last ten matches at this venue. More concerning is the trend beneath it, five consecutive home defeats, each coming while defending a total, a pattern they would be desperate to break. This makes their overall record at Ekana stand at 9 wins going with 12 defeats in 22 matches. Finding rhythm gradually - Gujarat Titans have been living on the edge, and they seem to like it there. Two nailbiters, one heist of a 1-run win, and suddenly this side looks like it has rediscovered its appetite. The engine room is no longer sputtering. It is beginning to purr. And with home games coming up, there is no better time to steal one on enemy territory. The numbers back their travelling credentials too. On the road, the Titans have won 19 and lost just 11, a record that is quite impressive. But Lucknow has been a stubborn exception. They haven’t tasted victory here since 2023, and that particular ghost has been lingering long enough. The top three dominate - Gujarat Titans have a problem most franchises would kill for. Their top three are simply too good. Shubman Gill hobbled off with spasms in one game, returned in the next, and promptly played a half century as though the break never happened. Sai Sudharsan continues to look every bit the batter his early reputation promised. And then there is Jos Buttler, who has been burning away the rust from a difficult international stretch with two fifties already, reminding the world, and perhaps himself, exactly what he is capable of. The result of this relentless top-order firepower? Scores north of 200 twice in three games. One came in a losing cause, but the intent has been there. Where concern existed, however, was in the middle. That concern may now have an answer in Washington Sundar, promoted to number four with the left-hand right-hand equation in mind. The move has looked anything but experimental. Sundar walked away from their previous match with his maiden IPL fifty, and suddenly, Gujarat’s batting lineup has depth with Phillips and Tewatia to follow next. Bowlers under the scanner - For all the fireworks with the bat, Gujarat Titans are yet to put together a complete performance, and their bowling unit has been the reason why. Consecutive 200-plus totals conceded tells its own uncomfortable story. What makes it more puzzling is the names involved. Siraj, Krishna, Rabada. Three bowlers dripping with international pedigree, and yet the Powerplay has been anything but intimidating. 63/0, 69/0, 55/1 in the first six across their matches. Numbers that would make any captain wince. The silver lining, and it is a significant one, is Rashid Khan. The Afghan wizard is back to being the central figure Gujarat’s bowling attack is built around. His 3/17 in 4 overs against Delhi Capitals was a reminder of just how suffocating he can be at his best. It was control, guile and precision rolled into four overs of vintage Rashid. Team form (Last 5 completed matches, recent first) LSG - WWLLW | GT - WLLLL. What to expect? Gujarat Titans have a score to settle. Because last season, Lucknow did the double over them and did not look particularly troubled doing it. In Ahmedabad, Mitchell Marsh walked in and dismantled the Titans with a 117 off 64 balls. The kind of innings that does not just win games, it haunts oppositions. Back in Lucknow, Markram and Pooran strolled to half centuries and chased down a middling target without any real drama. The one notable development from the LSG camp is Hasaranga's absence. The Sri Lankan leggie is ruled out with injury, and George Linde comes in as cover. The South African left-arm spinner is no makeshift replacement though. He joins Digvesh Singh and Manimaran Siddharth in what is shaping up to be a genuinely threatening spin unit. Linde, for all his proven worth in the shortest format, is no mug with the bat either. The Lucknow surface will have its say too. Black soil, lower bounce, and a pitch that tends to slow down as the game progresses. Spinners and bowlers with variations have historically thrived here, and while recent matches have pushed first innings totals closer to 180, chasing sides have often found themselves with the upper hand once the surface settles. Overall, the head-to-head reads 4-3 in Gujarat's favour, but that stat comes with a sting in the tail. LSG have won the last three meetings back-to-back. So GT have some scores to settle in this budding rivalry. This one has all the makings of a cracker of a game.