Match overview
Lucknow Super Giants beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 5 wickets at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 7 April 2023. SRH won the toss and elected to bat, but managed only 121/8 in their 20 overs, well short of Ekana's average first-innings score of 177. LSG overhauled the target for the loss of 5 wickets, with KH Pandya named Player of the Match. The result extended LSG's head-to-head lead over SRH to 5 wins from 7 meetings.
SRH's innings never built the momentum their powerplay start suggested. They took 43 runs from the first 6 overs for 1 wicket, a decent foundation by any measure, but lost 3 more wickets in the middle phase for only 40 runs. The death overs brought 38 runs and 4 further wickets. That collapse across the final 14 overs, from a position of relative comfort, was the story of their innings.
LSG's chase was steady rather than spectacular. They lost 2 early wickets in the powerplay after scoring 45 runs, keeping the match open longer than the target might suggest. The middle overs settled the contest: 73 runs for 3 wickets swung the balance firmly in their favour. The final death-over contribution of 9 runs was needed for completion only.
Venue and conditions
Ekana has hosted 44 T20 matches, producing an average first-innings score of 177 and an average second-innings score of 157. SRH's 121 sat 56 runs below that first-innings benchmark, which tells you this was not a normal pitch day for the venue. The average powerplay at Ekana yields 47 runs; both SRH (43) and LSG (45) came in slightly under that figure.
The toss data at Ekana is notable. Teams winning the toss choose to field 68% of the time, and chasers win 53% of matches here. SRH's decision to bat first against those numbers was against the grain of what captains usually prefer at this ground. LSG, batting second, were on the statistically friendlier side of the equation before a ball was bowled.
Death-over conditions at Ekana average 40 runs across the final four overs in first innings. SRH managed 38 in that phase, which was close to par given the low total they were defending. LSG's 9 death-over runs were irrelevant to the outcome, with the match already settled through the middle phase.
How to watch
IPL matches are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with live streaming available through Sky Go and NOW TV for subscribers. Evening matches in India, which start at either 15:30 or 19:30 IST, translate to 11:00 or 15:00 UK time respectively during Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30). This particular fixture was played in April 2023; for upcoming LSG and SRH fixtures, check the Sky Sports schedule for broadcast confirmation.
Recent form
Heading into this match, Sunrisers Hyderabad had lost their previous IPL fixture against Rajasthan Royals in 2023 and carried a mixed record through their previous four outings: one win against Mumbai Indians sandwiched between defeats to Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Four losses from five recent matches left SRH in need of a performance.
Lucknow Super Giants came in from a loss to Chennai Super Kings in their most recent 2023 fixture, but had beaten Delhi Capitals before that. Their 2022 record showed a similar pattern of inconsistency: wins against Kolkata Knight Riders punctuated by losses to Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals. Neither side arrived in outstanding form, which made the match competitive despite SRH's total falling well below Ekana's standard scoring rates. LSG's next fixture will test whether this win represents a turning point or an isolated result in what remains an unpredictable IPL campaign.
