Punjab Kings Opt to Bowl First Against Lucknow Supergiants in IPL 2025 Thriller at Ekana Stadium
The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is buzzing with excitement as Punjab Kings (PBKS) won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lucknow Supergiants (LSG) in Match 13 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 . With both teams eyeing crucial points, this clash promises to deliver thrilling cricket action.
Toss Decision and Team Updates
After winning the toss, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer explained his decision to bowl first, saying, “It’s a new ground, new pitch, and dew could be a factor. Being a red soil pitch, we want to chase. The players have the freedom to express themselves, but the important goal is to win.”
A key highlight for PBKS is the debut of New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson , who adds firepower to their bowling attack. Shreyas added, “We don’t know how the pitch will play, but we need to adjust quickly. Lockie comes into the team.”
On the other hand, Lucknow Supergiants captain Rishabh Pant was content with batting first despite losing the toss. He said, “We wanted to bowl first, but there are things not under our control, so we’re happy to bat first. There are a lot of people here to support us, and we’ll definitely give our best.” LSG has retained the same playing XI that secured a convincing win against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Playing XIs – PBKS vs LSG
| Team | Players |
|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh. |
| Lucknow Supergiants | Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi. |
Impact Substitutes:
- PBKS: Praveen Dubey, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Nehal Wadhera, Vishnu Vinod, Harpreet Brar.
- LSG: Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth, Shahbaz Ahmed, Himmat Singh, Akash Maharaj Singh.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Shreyas Iyer vs Rishabh Pant:
The battle between the two most expensive players in IPL history Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 crore) and Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 crore) will be a key storyline. Can Pant justify his price tag with a match winning performance?
- Nicholas Pooran vs Yuzvendra Chahal:
LSG’s explosive batter Nicholas Pooran will face off against PBKS’ seasoned leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Who will come out on top in this spin-vs-bat duel?
- Lockie Ferguson vs Mitchell Marsh:
Ferguson’s pace will be tested against Marsh’s aggressive batting style. This matchup could set the tone early in the innings.
Pitch and Conditions
The Ekana Stadium pitch is known for its slow and low bounce nature, favoring spinners. Dew could play a significant role later in the game, making it challenging for bowlers during the second innings.
- Weather Forecast: Clear skies with temperatures around 30°C . No rain interruptions are expected.
- Key Factor: Teams will need to adapt quickly to the red-soil pitch and plan their strategies accordingly.
Final Thoughts
With PBKS opting to bowl first and LSG ready to capitalize on home support, this match promises to be a nail biter. Will Lockie Ferguson debut make an impact for Punjab? Or will Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran lead Lucknow to another victory?
Who do you think will win this thrilling contest? Share your predictions in the comments below!
Stay tuned for live updates and more exciting moments from IPL 2025.
