Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are very much alive for a playoff place in IPL 2025. Placed at 4th and 6th, both sides will aim to boost their chances on Sunday. For PBKS and LSG alike, their front three in batting hold the cards in terms of doing the majority of the work. And this is backed by an able bowling department in both spin and pace alike. So here are two teams with many similarities.
With the match set to be held at Dharamsala, a big-scoring game awaits amongst the beautiful Himalayan mountains. Swing could also be on offer here. PBKS are 4th at the moment with 13 points. LSG are sixth with 10 points. A loss for LSG will hurt their cause for a top-4 berth.
In terms of players’ spotlight, Pooran has seen a dip in form. However, the West Indian who started the season so well can be fresh from a 6-day break. He still owns over 400 runs this season. Meanwhile, for PBKS, Yuzvendra Chahal has picked momen tum after a poor beginning in IPL 2025.
One thing that can work for LSG is that PBKS have lost all 4 games at Dharamsala since 2023. Ahead of a crunch clash, here are the player battles.
Rishabh Pant vs Yuzvendra Chahal
Rishabh Pant, who is IPL’s most expensive player, hasn’t delivered with the bat for LSG this season. In 10 matches, Pant has endured a modest run so far, scoring 110 runs at 12.22. PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal will test him. Notably, after a horrendous start for Chahal this season, he has changed his fortunes and now owns 13 scalps from 10 matches, 21.07. As per ESPNcricinfo, the PBKS leg-spinner has dismissed Pant thrice in only 13 IPL innings. Pant averages 27-plus and his strike rate is 140-plus. Pant has faced 59 balls and scored 83 runs. Chahal has bowled 21 dot balls to Pant in the IPL.
Nicholas Pooran vs Arshdeep Singh
Nicholas Pooran has faded out of late after a string of massive scores. His last 4 innings in the IPL read as 27, 9, 11 and 8. Pooran will be keen to make amends and be amongst the runs to keep LSG in the hunt. Pooran has scored 404 runs this season from 10 matches. He has smashed 33 fours and 34 sixes. Pooran will need to be wary of PBKS’ left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who is his side’s joint-top wicket-taker with Chahal. Across 4 IPL innings, Pooran has faced 26 balls bowled by Arshdeep and owns 44 runs (SR: 169.23). Pooran has hit Arshdeep four 4 sixes and has also faced 5 dot balls. Overall, in 8 T20 innings, Pooran has enjoyed facing Arshdeep, scoring 57 runs from 43 balls (1 dismissal). His strike rate is 132-plus.
Shreyas Iyer vs Ravi Bishnoi
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer has been enjoying himself this season, especially in games away from home. Iyer comes into this contest on the back of a match-winning fifty versus CSK. In this contest, Iyer can be challenged by his compatriot Ravi Bishnoi, especially in the middle overs. Iyer has managed just 27 runs off 22 balls against Bishnoi in the IPL. His strike rate is on the lower side. However, Bishnoi is yet to dismiss Iyer. From 10 games this season, Iyer owns 360 runs at 51.42. Meanwhile, Bishnoi has 9 scalps from 10 games at 41.66. Both players are chasing milestones. Iyer is closing in on 3500 IPL runs. Meanwhile, Bishnoi is 2 shy of 50 scalps for LSG.
Marco Jansen vs Aiden Markram
South African teammates Marco Jansen and Aidan Markram will come up against each other. Jansen has done an able job for PBKS, owning 10 scalps at 28.70. Markram has been amongst the runs for LSG with 335 runs from 10 games. Jansen’s swing and ability to bowl tight lengths will test the batter. Overall, in the 20-over format, Jansen has dismissed Markram once across a single outing. Markram has faced nine balls and owns 9 runs. He has faced 4 dot balls.
Mayank Yadav vs Prabhsimran Singh
Mayank Yadav may not have returned at his usual pace after an injury, but he was impressed with two wickets in LSG’s last match. Mayank will want to prove his mettle against Prabhsimran Singh, who owns 346 runs this season, striking at 165.55. He has hit three fifties. Across two innings in the 20-over format, Singh has scored 7 runs from 4 balls (2 dismissals) at 3.50. He has hit one six and a single in addition to facing 2 dots, which ended up as wickets.