Lucknow Sun Giants power past Gujarat Titans in six-wicket win

Gujarat Titans failed to capitalise on a strong start against Lucknow Sun Giants at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, losing by six wickets to relinquish top spot on the 2025 IPL ladder.

GT were asked to bat first and began beautifully, notching the first century opening stand since they did so against CSK in 2024.

However, after Sai Sudharsan (56 from 37) and Shubman Gill (60 from 38) raced out to 0/120 from 12 overs, the remainder of the Gujarat batting line up were unable to keep pace on a challenging pitch.

Wickets flowed and the run rate dried up as GT stuttered their way through the remaining overs, making just 6/60 from the final 48 balls of their innings.

Still, they managed to set LSG a target of 181 to win, with IPL betting sites pricing the match at even odds at the halfway point of the match.

Lucknow steadily shifted the balance in their favour, however, as they too began strongly through Aiden Markram (58 from 31) and Rishabh Pant (21 from 18).

After the openers made 65/0 from the first 6.1 overs, Pant was caught at deep third and Nicholas Pooran (61 from 34) joined Markram.

The two put on another strong stand, making 58 runs for the second wicket in just under five overs.

By the time both exited, the damage was done and Ayush Badoni (28* from 20) guided LSG home with six wickets and three balls to spare.

“Wicket wasn’t easy to hit from the get go,” losing captain Gill explained afterwards.

“This was the conversation that if there’s one batsman set we have to play 17-18 overs so we can get to 200-210.

“But losing back-to-back wickets didn’t help our cause.

“When we were batting the ball was stopping, it wasn’t an easy wicket from the first ball.

“Our strike rotation wasn’t as good as expected and that’s something we have to work on.

“Always looking to take wickets, that was the conversation.

“We were behind the game but if we got a few quick wickets, we could take the match deep.

“We got a few wickets after the 10th over but the ball didn’t stop as much as we thought it would.

“Fighting till the end was a good sign for us.”

Gujarat remain a live chance of winning their second IPL title this year despite suffering their second loss, with cricket bookmakers pricing them at $6 to lift the trophy.

Just Delhi Capitals ($5) have shorter odds, while LSG improve to $7.50 and sit fourth favourite at BetOnline after bagging their fourth victory of the season.

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