Match 61 of the IPL 2025 season sees Lucknow Super Giants take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow on Monday, May 19, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. LSG are still in the race for a playoff berth, needing to win their remaining three matches and also hoping that Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals suffer blips. After 11 matches, LSG, who are placed 7th, have collected 10 points with 5 wins and 6 defeats. Notably, the side has lost 4 of their last 5 matches, including three in a row. On the other hand, SRH are already eliminated. Pat Cummins’ side can, however, be party spoilers. SRH have three matches left this season.

In terms of the head-to-head record, LSG own a sound record over SRH with 4 wins and a defeat from 5 games.

Both sides have had issues this season. LSG have seen skipper Rishabh Pant falter, with David Miller also failing as a finisher. Nicholas Pooran, who started strongly, has seen his form disappear. Injuries have also played their part, with Mayank Yadav returning in between, lasting two games before recently once again getting injured. Shardul Thakur and Akash Deep have not been consistent, and Ravi Bishnoi is hurting as well. LSG need a complete show here to disrupt SRH.

Meanwhile, SRH, who reached the final last season, have been a shadow of themselves. It has been a failure of a season from the retained player, and several costly buys have also been ineffective, contributing to their worry.

After a 10-day break post the IPL suspension, both sides will want to start fresh and go for the kill in these remaining games.

Here we decode the key player battles from the LSG vs SRH clash.

Rishabh pant vs pat cummins

LSG skipper Rishabh Pant will want to return to form. Pant has had a poor IPL 2025 season for his new side. He has scored 128 runs from 11 matches (10 innings) at 12.80. His strike rate is below 100. SRH skipper Pat Cummins will target his counterpart in this contest. Cummins has done a decent job, taking 13 wickets from 11 matches for SRH this season at an average of 27.92. Across 6 IPL innings, Pant has managed 30 runs from 29 balls against Cummins, striking at 103.44, as per ESPNcricinfo. Cummins has dismissed Pant once. Notably, Pant has faced a tally of 15 dot balls in this matchup against Cummins.

Nicholas pooran vs mohammed shami

Nicholas Pooran needs to reinvent his form, which he enjoyed early on in the season, if LSG are to reach the playoffs. LSG, who need to win all of their remaining games, can get help if Pooran comes out firing. Pooran will eye the out-of-form Mohammed Shami to start well. In IPL 2025, Shami has bagged 6 scalps from 9 games at 56.16, and his economy rate is well above 11. However, in this duel between the two players in IPL, Shami has dismissed Pooran once across 4 innings. Pooran owns 15 runs from 10 balls and has faced one dot ball. In IPL 2025, Pooran has scored 410 runs from 11 matches with 4 fifties under his belt. His strike rate is above 200.

Abhishek Sharma vs Avesh Khan

Abhishek Sharma hasn’t been at his best this season for SRH. He is SRH’s top scorer, though, with 314 runs at 31.40 with the help of 1 ton and 1 fifty. Abhishek will be tested by LSG pacer Avesh Khan, who has 10 scalps from 10 matches this season at 37.90. Avesh will need to come up with the goods and stop Abhishek, who can run away with the match if he gets a start. Across 4 innings in the IPL, Avesh has dismissed Abhishek 2 times. Abhishek averages 3.50, and he owns a dismal strike rate of 63.63. Abhishek has faced 7 dot balls in this contest versus Avesh.

Heinrich klaasen vs shedul thakur

SRH need the muscle and power of Heinrich Klaasen in the middle and death overs. Shardul Thakur could test a sturdy player, Klaasen, in the death overs. In 9 matches this season, Shardul owns 12 scalps at 28. Shardul, who earlier surpassed 100 IPL wickets this season, has dismissed Klaasen two times across 4 IPL innings. Klaasen averages 9.50 versus Shardul and has scored 19 runs from 15 balls. Klaasen has faced 6 dot balls, and his strike rate is 126.66. In IPL 2025, Klaasen has scored 311 runs at 34.55 from 11 matches (10 innings). His strike rate is 153.96. Klaasen has hit one fifty.

Mitchell Marsh vs Harshal Patel

LSG opener Mitchell Marsh could come up against SRH pacer Harshal Patel. Across 3 innings in the IPL, Marsh has tallied 13 runs against right-arm pacer Harshal, having faced 10 balls. Harshal has dismissed Marsh once in this matchup. In 10 matches this season, Harshal has scored 378 runs with the help of 4 fifties. His strike rate is 155.55. Marsh needs to start well and get LSG to a solid score. His impact alongside Aiden Markram remains key. Harshal, who generally comes to bowl in the middle overs, can come earlier to test Marsh’s resolve. In IPL 2025, Harshal has managed 14 scalps from 10 matches at 22.92. Harshal is closing in on a big milestone. He is one scalp shy of 150 wickets.