IPL 2025 thriller: Marsh and Pooran fire LSG to 235/2 as GT falls short, hurting playoff chances.
In a match full of sixes and fours, Mitchell Marsh stole the show with a beautiful hundred. His extraordinary knock helped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) beat Gujarat Titans (GT) by 33 runs in Ahmedabad. This high-scoring IPL 2025 match became full of power-hitting, short wickets, and standout moments.
Though GT fought back hard, LSG’s overall performance proved too much to deal with. Those who followed SpinMatch predictions might have known that the middle order would be in trouble.
Marsh and Pooran Lead the Charge
LSG had been asked to bat first. Right from the start, Marsh appeared assured. Alongside Aiden Markram, he gave LSG a stable base. By the end of the powerplay, LSG had scored fifty-three runs without losing a wicket.
But the actual destruction began as soon as Nicholas Pooran joined Marsh. The two brought a massive 121-run partnership in just fifty-two balls. Marsh smashed 117 off 64 balls, his first IPL century and second in T20s.
Pooran, too, changed into a red-hot form. He scored a quick fifty-six off simply 27 balls and remained unbeaten. Together, they drove LSG’s total to a big 235 for two.
This became one of the best batting displays in IPL 2025. Marsh’s six-hitting, Pooran’s placement, and GT’s helpless bowling made for a one-sided innings. Even Rashid Khan couldn’t prevent them. Marsh tore him with 4 boundaries and two sixes in a single over.
Early Drama and Slippery Ground
GT won the toss and decided to field first. However, their bowlers struggled with the conditions. Arshad Khan slipped two times while bowling. The grass on the pitch made things more tricky. Kagiso Rabada lost control of the ball at one point, nearly hitting Aiden Markram.
Still, LSG saved their attention. Marsh and Markram made sure LSG was given a steady start. Even though they mistimed some shots early on, they recovered fast.
GT’s Top Order Crumbles Early
Chasing 236 was never going to be easy. GT wished their top-order stars to fire. But this time, it didn’t move as planned. Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler, who had carried GT all season, were again in the pavilion within 10 overs.
Gill appeared in contact, hitting some crisp shots. But he mistimed a cut shot and was caught at long-off. Buttler started strong, too. He smashed Avesh Khan for two fours and two sixes in a single over. But Akash Singh bowled him with a smart slower ball. Sudharsan was dismissed in advance by Will O’Rourke, thanks to a sharp catch by Markram.
At 97 for 3 in 10 overs, GT had been in deep trouble. They wished for 139 extra runs inside the remaining ten overs.
Rutherford and Shahrukh Bring GT Back
Just as GT appeared out of the game, Sherfane Rutherford and Shahrukh Khan stepped up. They started out smashing the LSG bowlers all over the park. Their partnership brought GT back into the game.
They added 86 runs in only 40 balls. Their effective hitting gave GT hope. Especially at some point in the 14th and 15th overs, where they scored 36 runs, the momentum had shifted.
Shah Rukh Khan reached his fifty in only 22 balls. Rutherford was solid too, hitting big shots without any issues. At one point, GT wanted just 54 runs from the remaining four overs. With six wickets in hand, the chase appeared very much alive.
O’Rourke’s Golden Over Ends the Chase
Just as GT appeared closer to winning, Will O’Rourke again bowled the seventeenth over. He changed the sport in just six balls. On the first ball, he took Rutherford’s wicket. By the end of the over, he had additionally removed Rahul Tewatia. Most importantly, he gave away just 4 runs in that over.
This over became the turning point. GT was struggling to recover from that. The last four overs earned just 20 runs. Not even a single boundary. Eventually, GT ended their innings at 202 for nine, falling 33 runs short.
GT’s Road to Top Two Gets Tougher
This loss should harm GT’s chances of finishing inside the top two. Before this match, their top order had accomplished most of the scoring. Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler had scored over 75% of their runs within the match.
But after they failed, the middle order had to step up. Spinmatch Prediction said it right that their middle order looks a little weak. While Rutherford and Shahrukh played properly, it wasn’t enough. The lower order couldn’t deliver the fight ahead.
Champions on the Day
- Mitchell Marsh: The first IPL century, scoring 117 off 64 balls with 7 sixes and 11 fours.
- Nicholas Pooran: Unbeaten fifty-six off 27 balls. Played a great finisher’s role.
- Will O’Rourke: Took 3 wickets for just 27 runs. Bowled the most important over
- Shahrukh Khan: Scored 57 off 29 balls. He proved his work.
That’s a Wrap
This match became a perfect example of why cricket is called a game of moments. LSG made the maximum of theirs. Marsh’s batting and O’Rourke’s calm bowling had been the key motives for this win.
GT, regardless of being on top of the desk, learned a big lesson. They want to strengthen their middle order for the playoffs. On the other hand, LSG may be out of the playoff race; however, they have proved they could beat the first-class on their day.
For the upcoming matches, do not forget to watch them live on Spinmatch.
