Entering IPL 2025, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were deeply worried about their fast-bowling attack. Key players like Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav—their two retained pacers—left the team depending on untested options injured.
The seamers Shardul Thakur and Prince Yadav battled in their first encounter, bowling second and allowing 64 runs in 6 overs, therefore causing a defeat from a winning position. This performance sparked discussions among cricket analysts and Bpexch App users, who closely follow team strategies and player performances.
But in their second game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), a squad noted for its explosive batting, LSG’s speed attack was rather remarkable. LSG’s seamers limited SRH to 102/6 in 12 overs (economy rate: 8.5), but bowling at a stadium where nine 200+ totals had been produced in the past seven IPL games.
1. Implementation of Smart Bowling Strategies
Just days previously, Rajasthan Royals (RR) had failed to control SRH’s batting order; LSG’s bowlers took a more deliberate approach. Conceding286/6. Rather than depending just on short-pitched deliveries—a strategy that backfired for RR—they diversified their lengths properly, therefore assuring that even their blunders were not simple to profit from.
Key Bowling Lengths & Their Impact
Here’s how LSG’s pacers fared against SRH based on different lengths:
| Length | Runs | Balls | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate | Economy | Dot % | Boundary % |
| Full Toss | 17 | 11 | 0 | – | – | 9.27 | 16.6% | 18.18% |
| Yorker | 7 | 9 | 0 | – | – | 4.66 | 30% | 0% |
| Half Volley | 21 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 6.6 | 6.30 | 35% | 10% |
| Length Ball | 34 | 14 | 1 | 34 | 14 | 14.57 | 26.6% | 42.85% |
| Back of a Length | 14 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 9 | 9.33 | 22.2% | 22.22% |
| Short | 9 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 6.75 | 50% | 12.5% |
Principal Notes:
- Yorkers and full-length balls worked well.
- Against pace, SRH’s hitters have the best-attacking shot percentage (77%) since IPL 2024.
- Still, they are a vital weapon as their strike rate—88.75—against Yorkers is the lowest.
- Half-volleys were positioned well.
- Of 29 balls in the Yorker/half-volley category, 21 were outside off or wider, delivering 2/21, including the wickets of Pat Cummins and Abhinav Manohar.
- Unlike RR, LSG used the short ball sparingly to guarantee batters couldn’t establish a pattern.
2. Though Luck Played a Part, Execution Was Crucially Important
Though LSG had some luck—Abhishek Sharma holed out to a cheap out, Ishan Kishan gloved one down the leg side, and Heinrich Klaasen had an unfortunate dismissal—the general bowling strategy was well-planned.
Why did SRH find difficulty batting?
- Though LSG denied them simple scoring chances, SRH’s hitters have been the most offensive against pace.
- Weakness Against Yorkers: LSG used SRH’s low strike rate to guarantee they couldn’t accelerate naturally.
- LSG drove SRH’s hitters to reach for shots by bowling wide outside off, hence producing mistimed hits.
3. What This Means Regarding the Bowling Future of LSG
The performance of LSG against SRH shows that clever planning can help even a slowed-tempo attack to be successful. Here is what they should concentrate on going ahead:
A. Keep up the Yorker-heavy approach.
- Other teams could use this tactic since SRH fights against Yorkers.
- Variation is important; overusing one length will make the attack predictable.
B. Keep the proper length mix.
- Too many short balls = Easy pickings (as RR shows).
- Too many full deliveries run the danger of driving.
- A balanced strategy such as LSG’s might leave players wondering.
C. Make good use of Spin Wisely.
- LSG used spin mostly in the opening game.
- They employed pace sensibly against SRH, but spinners still have a part in stifling runs.
Final Thoughts
LSG’s unusual fast-bowling performance against SRH’s formidable batting lineup demonstrates how strategy beats raw speed. They turned what appeared to be their strongest weakness—mixing lengths, focusing on vulnerabilities, and keeping discipline—into a match-winning strength.
Should they carry on this strategy, LSG might become among the most balanced bowling teams in IPL 2025. Other teams, particularly those dealing with SRH, should observe how to neutralize one of the most damaging hitting lineups in the tournament.