Rishabh Pant asked Sunrisers Hyderabad to bat first (Screengrab)

NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their IPL 2025 clash has left many puzzled.
Given SRH’s explosive batting lineup, many expected LSG to set a target rather than chase one. However, Pant had a clear strategy in mind.
Speaking at the toss, Pant stated that his team was confident in their ability to chase any total.
“We will bowl first. I think we have to get them out early and look to chase the target. It depends on the team combination; that’s why we want to bowl first. We have the batting to chase it down,” Pant explained.
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LSG made a tactical change, bringing back Avesh Khan in place of Shahbaz Ahmed to bolster their pace attack.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by Pat Cummins, boast one of the most destructive batting lineups in the tournament.
They made a statement in their opening match, smashing 286 runs against Rajasthan Royals.
The likes of Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Heinrich Klaasen can decimate any bowling attack on their day.
Pant’s gamble revolves around early breakthroughs. If LSG’s bowlers can disrupt SRH’s power-packed top order, they might prevent another massive total.
However, if the bowlers fail, LSG could be staring at another massive chase.

While LSG’s batting is strong, their middle-order inconsistency cost them their last game against Delhi Capitals.
Despite a strong start from Mitchell Marsh and a late flourish from Nicholas Pooran, they lost momentum in the middle overs. This time, Pant will hope his batters step up if they are set a daunting target.
With a high-scoring tournament already underway, Pant’s decision is a bold one. Whether it pays off or backfires will be the big question in this blockbuster encounter.