Mohammed Shami stole the show with an exceptional opening spell, giving Lucknow Super Giants the perfect start against Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL thriller on Sunday. The 35-year-old bowler’s mix of skill, precision, and smart variations left both the SRH batters and the national selection committee taking notice.
Shami bowled 18 dot balls in his four-over spell, finishing with 2 wickets for just 9 runs. He struck early, removing the SRH openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head in successive overs with clever slower deliveries. His control and understanding of the pitch made the Powerplay lethal, and he was eventually taken off as an Impact Sub after 10 overs, having made a massive impact.
Young Prince Yadav also supported well with figures of 2/34, including an outstanding outswinger that had the crowd buzzing.
Klaasen and Reddy’s Stand Keeps SRH in the Game
Despite Shami’s brilliance, SRH found a lifeline through Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The duo added 116 runs for the fifth wicket, counter-attacking the LSG bowlers and helping SRH post a respectable 156 for 9. Klaasen scored 62 off 41 balls, while Reddy contributed 56 off 33.
However, SRH’s recovery was short-lived. The last 2.2 overs saw a mini collapse, with five wickets falling for just 14 runs, keeping their total under 160 and giving LSG a manageable target.
Pant Anchors LSG Chase
In the chase, Rishabh Pant played a captain’s knock, scoring an unbeaten 68 off 50 balls. He showed maturity by curbing his natural aggression and pacing the innings carefully.
Aiden Markram chipped in with 45 off 27 balls, but it was Pant’s finishing touch that won the game. With 9 runs needed off the final over, Pant smashed Jaydev Unadkat for two boundaries — including a forehand-style slap and a lofted shot over mid-off — to seal a thrilling five-wicket victory with one ball to spare.
Tactical Brilliance and Smart Bowling
Shami’s performance was not just about pace; it was about brains and adaptability. He read the slow pitch perfectly, changing his pace and length to trouble the batters. From loopy deliveries to subtle changes in line, every ball forced SRH into mistakes.
His opening spell, coupled with Pant’s controlled innings, highlighted how LSG’s mix of experienced campaigners and young talent can deliver in crucial moments. Even after SRH’s big fifth-wicket partnership, LSG quickly regained control, showing a perfect blend of strategy, skill, and nerves.
Brief Scores:
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 156 for 9 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 62, Nitish Kumar Reddy 56; Mohammed Shami 2/9, Avesh Khan 2/36, Manimaran Siddharth 1/29).
Lucknow Super Giants: 160 for 5 in 19.5 overs. (R Pant 68 not out, A Markram 45; Harsh Dubey 2/18).