Lucknow eliminated from IPL playoff race

Lucknow Super Giants knocked out of IPL playoff race after loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad

Lucknow Super Giants have been eliminated from the IPL playoff race following a 6-wicket defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday.

Chasing a target of 206, Hyderabad comfortably reached the total in 18.2 overs, losing only 4 wickets. Their top-order batters delivered a collective performance to seal the win. Opener Abhishek Sharma was the standout performer, scoring 59 off just 20 balls with 6 sixes and 4 fours.

Henrik Klaasen contributed 47 runs, Ishan Kishan scored 35, and Kamindu Mendis, who retired hurt, made 32. For Lucknow, Digvijay Rathore took 2 wickets, while Shardul Thakur and Will O’Rourke picked up one each.

Earlier, at Ekana Stadium, Hyderabad won the toss and chose to field first. Lucknow posted a total of 205 for 7 in their 20 overs.

With this result, Lucknow is out of the playoff contention. Now, only Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians remain in the playoff race, while Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Punjab Kings have already secured their spots in the playoffs.

Lucknow’s strong start not enough as playoff hopes end after defeat to Hyderabad

Lucknow Super Giants made a brilliant start to their innings with a 115-run opening partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Adam Markram. Both openers scored half-centuries, reaching the milestone in just 28 balls each.

The stand was broken in the 10.3 over when Harsh Dubey dismissed Marsh, who scored 65 off 39 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes. Soon after, captain Rishabh Pant was dismissed for just 7, caught and bowled by Ehsan Malinga.

Adam Markram continued to anchor the innings, scoring 61 runs off 38 balls with 4 fours and 4 sixes before being dismissed. Nicholas Pooran added valuable runs in the middle, scoring 45 off 26 balls, hitting 6 fours and 1 six, before being run out.

With the ball, Ehsan Malinga was the most successful for Hyderabad, taking 2 wickets. Harsh Dubey, Nitish Kumar Patel, and Harshal Patel took one wicket each.

Despite the strong start, Lucknow ended with 205 for 7 in their 20 overs. After 12 matches, Lucknow has managed just 10 points and is now out of playoff contention. Hyderabad, already eliminated earlier, has only 9 points.