Lucknow Super Giants registered their first win of IPL 2026 with a composed five wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, powered by a clinical spell from Mohammed Shami and a decisive finish from Rishabh Pant.
Opting to field first, LSG made an immediate impact with the ball. Shami was at his precise best, returning figures of 2 for 9, dismantling the top order early. Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head fell cheaply, while SRH found themselves struggling at 26 for 4 inside eight overs after further setbacks.
The innings was rescued by Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who stitched together a superb 116-run partnership for the fifth wicket the highest for SRH in that position. After a cautious start, the pair shifted gears, scoring rapidly through the middle phase. Klaasen brought up a well-paced half century, while Reddy matched him with a fluent fifty of his own, lifting SRH to a competitive position.
However, LSG regained control in the closing stages. Tight bowling at the death restricted SRH to 156 for 9, as wickets fell in clusters and momentum slipped away.
Chasing 157, LSG began confidently with Aiden Markram leading the charge. His aggressive 45 off 27 deliveries ensured a strong platform despite the surface offering some resistance. While wickets fell at intervals, keeping the contest alive, LSG maintained control of the required rate.
The middle phase saw a slight dip as pressure built, but the target remained within reach. With 43 needed off the final five overs, the match was evenly poised.
Pant, who had struggled to find rhythm earlier, held his nerve when it mattered most. In the final over, with nine runs required, he turned the game around in style. Two boundaries off the first two deliveries brought the equation down dramatically. After a couple of dot balls added tension, Pant sealed the win with a confident lofted strike, finishing unbeaten on a crucial half century.
This victory not only opened LSG’s account this season but also highlighted their ability to bounce back under pressure, with both their bowling unit and captain stepping up when required.
