Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka has underlined the value of patience and shared confidence after his side edged Sunrisers Hyderabad in a dramatic last-over IPL finish at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Chasing 157, Lucknow won by five wickets with one ball left in a pressure-filled game on Sunday, as captain Rishabh Pant steered the chase after Hyderabad put up a competitive total in front of their home crowd.
Key takeaways
- Lucknow secured a five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in a last-over thriller at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
- Rishabh Pant led the successful chase of 157 with one ball remaining after Hyderabad fought hard.
- Hyderabad were restricted to 156/9, despite a key middle-overs stand involving Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
- Mohammed Shami delivered 2/9 in four overs to keep the hosts under control before the chase came down to the final over.
- The result marked Lucknow’s first victory of the IPL 2026 season, bringing immediate momentum into the tournament.
- Goenka praised the leadership group and the squad’s clarity under pressure, while urging continued improvement as the long season continues.
Goenka’s message: patience, belief and leadership under pressure
After the win, Goenka stressed that building momentum across a long IPL campaign depends on time and belief within the group. He pointed to the leadership group’s influence and highlighted how the team’s clarity of approach helped them perform when the match tightened in the closing stages.
He also acknowledged that the victory was an encouraging step, but said the franchise remains focused on getting better as the tournament progresses. In his message to fans, Goenka expressed gratitude for the support at Ekana and suggested the team would respond “stronger” in the next phase of the season.
How the match was set up and finished
Earlier, Lucknow’s bowlers did the heavy lifting by limiting Sunrisers Hyderabad to 156/9. The innings included a meaningful middle-order partnership between Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy, which kept the hosts in contention for a big finish.
Despite that push from Hyderabad, the chase never became comfortable for Lucknow. The run chase remained tightly poised until the final over, where Pant ultimately ensured the required outcome.
Lucknow’s path was also shaped by Mohammed Shami’s spell, with the fast bowler returning figures of 2-9 from four overs to help restrain Hyderabad’s scoring rhythm after the partnership period.
What this win means for Lucknow
The victory gave Lucknow valuable momentum and confirmed it as their first win in the IPL 2026 campaign. With the season continuing to unfold, the franchise now turns its attention to its next challenge, with Lucknow scheduled to play Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday at Eden Gardens.
