Felt Like Punjab Curator Ready Pitch: Zaheer Khan Slams Lucknow Pitch After LSGs Massive Defeat To Punjab Kings
Lucknow Tremendous Giants (LSG) endured a disappointing begin to their residence marketing campaign in IPL 2025, struggling an eight-wicket defeat in opposition to Punjab Kings (PBKS) on the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Following the loss, LSG mentor and former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan voiced his frustration over the pitch situations, suggesting that it appeared extra favorable for the visiting group relatively than offering the house aspect with a bonus.
Zaheer Khan Questions Residence Pitch Circumstances
Zaheer Khan expressed his disappointment with the character of the pitch, hinting that it appeared as if it was ready by a Punjab curator as an alternative of 1 meant to learn LSG. He emphasised how residence situations ought to ideally supply some benefit, a method that many IPL groups, together with Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Tremendous Kings, have efficiently employed through the years.
“Disenchanted, not likely pondering that it is a residence recreation. What was slightly disappointing for me right here, contemplating it is a residence recreation. In IPL, you’ve got seen how groups have checked out taking slightly little bit of residence benefit, you recognize, so yeah, from that perspective, you’ve got seen the curator shouldn’t be actually pondering that it is a residence recreation. I believe perhaps it regarded like, you recognize, it was Punjab curator out right here,” Zaheer mentioned on the post-match press convention.
A number of groups this season have raised issues about their residence pitch situations, and LSG has now joined that checklist after their underwhelming efficiency in Lucknow.
LSG’s Batting Struggles on Purple-Soil Pitch
After being put in to bat first, LSG struggled early on, shedding three wickets within the powerplay. Nicholas Pooran (44 off 30) tried to stabilize the innings, however the remainder of the batting order didn’t capitalize. The group managed to put up 171/7 of their 20 overs, which in the end proved inadequate.
For Punjab, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh was the standout performer, ending with three essential wickets. His final-over strikes, which included dismissals of Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni, restricted LSG from posting a aggressive whole.
Punjab Kings Dominate Chase with Ease
In response, PBKS openers gave their group a flying begin, with Prabhsimran Singh smashing 69 off simply 34 balls. Skipper Shreyas Iyer (52* off 30) performed a gentle knock, guaranteeing the chase was by no means unsure. Punjab managed each powerplays—first by proscribing LSG’s batting after which by capitalizing on the situations to chase down the goal in simply 16.2 overs, successful comfortably with 22 balls to spare.
Zaheer Khan on the Want for Residence Benefit
Zaheer Khan careworn the significance of residence benefit in IPL and expressed hope that such a scenario wouldn’t repeat itself in upcoming matches. “That is one thing which we’ll determine. It is a new setup for me additionally right here. However I hope that that is the primary and the final recreation in the case of that, since you are disappointing the Lucknow followers as properly. They’ve provide you with a lot expectations of successful the primary residence recreation right here. As a group, we’re assured, you recognize, we settle for that we have misplaced the sport, and we’ll do no matter it takes to make that impression within the residence leg. We nonetheless have six extra video games to go right here,” he added.
With six extra residence matches remaining, LSG will probably be seeking to bounce again and guarantee they capitalize on residence situations within the upcoming fixtures.
