Lucknow Super Giants were ordinary in their first home game of the season against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League 2025. They cut a sorry figure and failed to challenge the rivals in any department of the game. Batting first, the hosts posted 171/7 in 20 overs, with no batter scoring a fifty. Captain Rishabh Pant was the worst performer as he failed for the third consecutive time after being picked up for INR 27 crore.

The bowlers couldn’t do muchas Punjab completed the chase with 22 balls and eight wickets in hand. Lucknow was banking upon the likes of Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan, but their injuries have impacted the franchise’s performance.

Mohsin has been ruled out of the season, and Shardul Thakur has replaced him. On the other hand, Mayank is still working on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy, and there is no update on his return.

The management is playing four overseas batters in the Playing XI despite knowing their bowling is not up to the mark. Instead of adding an overseas pacer, the decision-makers are thinking of winning games with the help of willow holders.

Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, and David Miller have played three games so far. Sanjay Bangar highlighted this mistake of the team.

“They are lacking in the pace department. Mayak Yadav is missing, and Mohsin Khan has been ruled out. Their team combination is not right, as no team has won an IPL title with four overseas batters in the Playing XI. You can’t challenge and defend the totals with five-Indian bowlers in the starting XI,” he said.