Lucknow Super Giants go into Sunday’s clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad with a point to prove, a score to settle, and a head-to-head record that gives them reason to believe.
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LSG fell to Delhi Capitals in their season opener, but Rishabh Pant was keen to highlight the silver linings. “One positive thing is that the boys fought hard. The way we bowled, especially the way we started, definitely some good signs going ahead in the season,” he said after the defeat. Mitchell Marsh and Abdul Samad caught the eye with the bat, while the pace attack showed enough to suggest LSG are not far off.
Sunrisers, fresh off their win against KKR, will be no easy opponents at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. But LSG hold a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over SRH, and their most recent visit to this ground ended in style. Last season, chasing 193, Marsh cracked 52 off 31, Nicholas Pooran blasted 70 off 26, and Samad sealed it with an unbeaten 22 off 8. A five-wicket win and a statement performance.
Those memories will be fresh in the dressing room when the sides meet on April 5. For LSG, this is a match that could set the tone for the rest of their campaign. A win and they are back in contention. Another defeat and the pressure builds quickly in a format that forgives very little.
The pieces are there for Pant’s side. The ground holds good memories. Now they need to deliver on it.
