LUCKNOW: Lucknow Super Giants pulled off a win over Chennai Super Kings on Friday at Ekana Cricket Stadium, but the mood in the LSG camp still carried a hint of frustration. Even with the result in their favour, skipper Rishabh Pant looked visibly disappointed as the match unfolded. Nicholas Pooran swung the momentum decisively in the 17th over, smashing four straight sixes off Anshul Kamboj to put the chase beyond reach and steer LSG to victory. Moments after the job was done, Pant rose quietly from the dugout and embraced his teammates, marking the win with a touch of emotion—though with LSG already out of contention, the triumph offered limited relief in the context of their season.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Pant acknowledged the wider disappointment of LSG’s IPL 2026 campaign despite the positive finish. Lucknow have endured a tough stretch and currently sit at the bottom of the standings, having managed only four wins from 12 games while suffering eight defeats. “It feels good. Getting a win definitely feels good. There are things we talk about, that there is a lot to play for, regardless of where our season ends. We take a lot of pride in playing this way,” Pant said.
Earlier, Akash Singh’s spell helped CSK rein in Lucknow to 187/5. In response, the hosts produced a sparkling chase, driven by Mitchell Marsh’s explosive 90 from just 38 balls and late momentum from Pooran, as LSG finished the chase comfortably, beating CSK by seven wickets in only 16.4 overs.
Akash Singh, playing his first IPL match, delivered a breakthrough performance with a three-wicket haul. His scalps included key names such as Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Urvil Patel—turning the spell into a major talking point even before the chase began.
With Mohammed Shami as his new-ball partner, Akash started cautiously, conceding seven runs in his opening over. In the second over, he struck by dismissing CSK captain Gaikwad for 13. He continued the pressure in the next over, removing Samson for 20, and then Pant kept faith in him for a fourth consecutive over. That decision paid off again, as the young pacer sent Urvil Patel back for just six.
Explaining why Akash was trusted to bowl repeatedly, Pant said: “See, definitely he’s been working hard throughout IPL. You know that sometimes it’s harder to give everyone a game. But when people are preparing really well and he’s one guy, who stick to the plan more often than going anywhere else. So yeah, definitely it paid off. The way he bowled, stick to the plan for a longer period of time. That’s really good to see.”
Pant also shed light on LSG’s approach at the top of the order, revealing the thinking behind the decision to open with two overseas batters—Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis. The strategy worked exactly as hoped, with the pair building a strong 135-run opening stand.
On the opening plan and whether it was always part of the blueprint, Pant said: “Definitely that was the first thought that, getting two overseas players to open the inning and Nicky batted number three. That was the idea, sometimes it’s difficult when thought process is not being implemented all the time. But at the same time we take pride and we are confident as a team. The only thing I would say is, it’s frustrating when you know what you have as a team, just because of little thought process here and there and you can’t implement things the way you want, things can happen.”
Asked if LSG were close to unlocking a winning formula at their home venue, Pant pointed to the conditions and the balance of their attack. “We are working out and it’s been working for us, four fast bowlers, especially in the home condition, depending on the opposition we play, definitely works out for us. As at the same time, the team we have, I’m going to say this again, it’s so amazing. The only thing gonna can harm us [is] having too many processes,” he added.
On the batting order decision—specifically why he did not come in earlier—Pant explained that the team considered giving opportunities to players who had not had as much game time. “I was ready to bat and the idea came up, I was in the dressing room, the idea came in like, why not try players who have not played much, they haven’t got much chances. And that was the idea, I was thinking again and again, should I do it or not? Because I still wanted to be out there in the field, but sometimes you have to respect the think tanks decision. So that’s the thing.”
Looking ahead, Lucknow Super Giants are set to take on Rajasthan Royals on May 23.
