A power-hitting masterclass from Mitchell Marsh and a disciplined bowling effort saw the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) claim a 33-run win over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 64 of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Coming into this match already out of playoff contention, LSG played for pride and did it with style. Marsh was the heartbeat of it all, scoring his first IPL century and just his second in T20 cricket. Marsh’s dazzling 117 off 64 balls, along with Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 56* off 27 balls, saw LSG make 235/2 after GT elected to ball first.
The innings started slowly with Marsh and Aiden Markram adding 91 runs for the first wicket. Markram made a support role with 36 off 24 before he fell to Sai Kishore. From there, Marsh raced away with Pooran and put on a hitting clinic, scoring 121 runs in only 52 balls. Marsh scored his century off the bowling of Rashid Khan, who conceded 27 runs in an over; this is a rare occurrence against one of the best spinners in the history of the format.
Pooran’s late carnage kept the energy high, and his captain Rishabh Pant finished with a sprightly cameo of 6-16*. The GT’s bowlers did not have their ‘A’ game on show at all, with Rashid Khan being especially unusually costly at 36 runs in just 2 overs.
GT’s chase of a massive 236 began terribly for their top order. Despite a brisk partnership of 46 runs with Shubman Gill (35) and Sai Sudharsan (21), they both departed the field in the powerplay. Jos Buttler (33) also looked dangerous but fell to a clever slower ball from Akash Singh, who eventually returned to the field, ignoring the inconvenience of a split webbing on his hand.
Hope had returned for GT after a ferocious counter-attack between Sherfane Rutherford (38) and M Shahrukh Khan (57 off 29) where they made an 86 run partnership for the second wicket. This got the home crowd on their feet. But just as the chase looked to be back in GT’s hands, Will O’Rourke trotted on with the match-defining 17th over. He took out Rutherford and also Rahul Tewatia, and went on to end with 3/27.
The Titans succumbed under pressure, only scoring 20 runs in the last four overs. Ayush Badoni added two more wickets to his tally, and picked up an important one in Shahrukh.
Marsh was rightful Player of the Match for his blistering century, and LSG’s bowlers, especially O’Rourke and Akash Singh, came good under pressure. Despite the win, LSG have no chances of the playoffs, but this victory was a strong declaration against the top team that they can be a threat next IPL.
For GT, this loss hurts their chances of finishing in the top two and reinforces the fragility of their middle order. They have to regroup in a hurry as the playoffs are fast approaching.
Read More: Suryakumar, Santner, Bumrah Star as MI Seal Playoff Berth with Dominant Win Over DC
Scorecard: LSG vs GT, 64th Match IPL 2025
Lucknow Super Giants: 235/2
- Mitchell Marsh 117 (64)
- Nicholas Pooran 56* (27)
- Aiden Markram 36 (24)
- Sai Kishore 1/34 (3 overs)
- Arshad Khan 1/36 (3 overs)
- Mohammad Sraj 0/37 (2 overs)
Gujarat Titans: 202/9
- Masood Shahrukh Khan 57 (29)
- Sherfane Rutherford 38 (22)
- Shubhman Gill 35 (20)
- Will O’Rourke 3/27 (4 overs)
- Ayush Badoni 2/4 (1 overs)
- Avesh Khan 2/51 (3.5 overs)
