In an intriguing start to Dharamsala’s IPL fixtures this year, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) decided to bowl first against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). “We feel this gives us the advantage of seeing how the game unfolds,” explained LSG’s manager on their choice.
The conditions seem to have prompted LSG’s decision, with rain preceding this first IPL 2025 match in Dharamsala, potentially affecting the pitch. PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer also acknowledged the moisture on the pitch and mentioned he would have preferred to bowl as well.
Both teams see this fixture as crucial. Punjab Kings aim for second place in the standings with a potential victory, welcoming back Marcus Stoinis to strengthen their line-up. Meanwhile, LSG, currently outside the top four, could rise to fifth with a win. They have opted for Akash Singh, a left-arm seamer with a notable record of 16 wickets in 20 matches, making his IPL debut. Ravi Bishnoi is surprising absent from the XI, suggesting a tactical decision considering the pitch may not favour spinners much.
Here are the team line-ups:
Punjab Kings:
Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Josh Inglis (wk), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
Bench: Vijaykumar Vyshak, Harpreet Brar, Pravin Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlett
Lucknow Super Giants:
Rishabh Pant (captain & wk), Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Akash Singh, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi
Bench: Ravi Bishnoi, Mitchell Marsh, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Matthew Breetzke
This matchup is set to bring excitement, as both teams aspire to improve their positions. Fans will be watching eagerly to see how the game progresses and how the teams adapt to the conditions.
