Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer brings in speedster Lockie Ferguson to target Nicholas Pooran, while Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants aim to defend home turf in a high-stakes clash of the IPL’s costliest stars.
April 1, 2025: Lucknow:
In a high-voltage clash of IPL 2025, Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday. All eyes were on the two most expensive players of the IPL 2025 auction—PBKS’ ₹26.75 crore captain Shreyas Iyer and LSG’s ₹27 crore skipper Rishabh Pant.
But the real surprise came with Punjab’s strategic move to include New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson, known for clocking 157.3 kmph, aimed at neutralising LSG power-hitter Nicholas Pooran. Ferguson has dismissed Pooran four times in six encounters, making this a key tactical play.
Meanwhile, LSG enter their first home match of the season unchanged, banking on consistency. Rishabh Pant, still searching for form, will bat at No. 4 as Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram are expected to open the innings.
Playing XIs:
Lucknow Super Giants:
Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c/wk), David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Digvesh Singh
Punjab Kings:
Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lockie Ferguson
Shreyas Iyer explained the decision to bowl first, citing the red-soil pitch and dew factor, while former England cricketer Graeme Swann noted that the Ekana track could be unexpectedly “glorious for batting” this season.
With both teams eyeing dominance early in the tournament, this battle promises fireworks.
Tags:
IPL 2025, LSG vs PBKS, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Lockie Ferguson, Nicholas Pooran, IPL Toss Updates, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Ekana Stadium Match, IPL Fastest Bowlers, Indian Premier League News, IPL Playing XI Today, IPL Match Prediction