IPL 2025 : Shardul Thakur’s Double Blow Removes Abhishek Sharma And Ishan Kishan In SRH Vs LSG Clash

The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad was buzzing with excitement as Match 6 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 got underway. The fixture featured Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) taking on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in what promised to be a high-octane clash. With Rishabh Pant leading LSG and SRH fielding an explosive lineup, fans expected a thrilling contest.

Winning the toss, Pant chose to bowl first, a decision influenced by the pitch conditions, which offered early movement for bowlers. The LSG captain aimed to exploit any assistance available in the initial overs, particularly against SRH’s dangerous top order. With power hitters like Ishan Kishan and Travis Head in the opposition ranks, the onus was on LSG’s bowlers to set the tone early.

Enter Shardul Thakur, the ever-reliable medium pacer, who wasted no time in stamping his authority on the game. In a dramatic second over, Thakur turned the tide in LSG’s favor with two wickets in two balls, sending SRH into an early crisis.

Shardul Thakur’s Double Strike Puts SRH on the Back Foot

Thakur, known for his golden arm and ability to break partnerships at crucial moments, delivered a sensational over that sent shockwaves through the SRH camp. The first victim of his masterclass was Abhishek Sharma, a promising young batter who had been in fine form leading into this game.

Abhishek’s dismissal:
Thakur bowled a well-directed short delivery outside off stump, enticing Abhishek into playing an aggressive pull shot. However, the left-hander mistimed his stroke, and the ball ballooned toward deep square leg, where Nicholas Pooran was stationed. The West Indian fielder judged it perfectly and completed a safe catch, handing LSG an early breakthrough.

As the Hyderabad crowd fell silent, SRH found themselves one wicket down, but the real drama was yet to unfold.

Ishan Kishan’s shock exit:
Fresh from a scintillating century in SRH’s previous match, Ishan Kishan strode to the crease, looking to build on his imperious form. However, Thakur had other plans. On the very next delivery, he bowled a seemingly harmless length ball drifting down the leg side. Kishan, attempting to flick it, got a faint edge, and Rishabh Pant took a sharp catch behind the stumps.

The umpire immediately raised his finger, confirming the dismissal. Kishan, a batter known for his aggressive intent during powerplays, was gone for a golden duck, leaving SRH in deep trouble at 7/2 in just the second over.

With the two crucial early wickets, Thakur had single-handedly shifted the momentum.

Hat-Trick Ball Drama: Nitish Reddy Holds Firm

With the crowd stunned and the SRH dugout anxious, Thakur was on the verge of a hat-trick. In walked Nitish Reddy, under immense pressure, knowing that another quick wicket could push his team into further disarray.

Sensing an opportunity for a historic moment, Thakur charged in and delivered a perfect yorker, aiming to rattle Reddy’s stumps. However, the young batter showcased quick reflexes, managing to dig it out and squeeze a single toward the leg side. The stadium erupted in applause—not for a hat-trick, but for the resilience displayed by Reddy under immense pressure.

Though Thakur was denied the milestone, his over had already left SRH reeling.

Travis Head Fights Back After Early Setback

With SRH losing two key wickets within the first two overs, the responsibility fell on Travis Head to stabilize the innings. The aggressive Australian batter, known for his fearless strokeplay, was in no mood to play conservatively.

Recognizing that Thakur’s line and length weren’t perfect, Head took full advantage of any errors. The LSG pacer, perhaps eager to capitalize on his early wickets, overcompensated with multiple full tosses, which Head dispatched with authority.

He drilled one straight down the ground for four, signaling his intent to counterattack.
Nitish Reddy, growing in confidence, followed up with a boundary off the final delivery of the over.

Despite conceding 12 runs in the over, Thakur’s impact had already been made. SRH, from a precarious 7/2, had recovered to 19/2, but the early breakthroughs ensured that LSG held the upper hand.

LSG Maintains Control Despite SRH’s Counterattack

Though Head and Reddy attempted to rebuild the innings, Thakur’s double strike forced SRH into damage-control mode. The normally free-flowing batting lineup had to reassess their approach, aware that any further collapse could be disastrous.

By the end of the powerplay, SRH managed to reach 62/2, thanks to Head’s aggressive strokeplay.
However, LSG’s disciplined bowling and fielding ensured that the early momentum remained with them.

As the innings progressed, SRH’s middle order was under pressure to accelerate, but the absence of Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma in the middle overs disrupted their natural game plan.

Thakur’s Impact Beyond Just Two Wickets

While statistics would show two wickets in an over, Thakur’s influence extended beyond mere numbers:

Psychological Pressure on SRH: Losing two key batters early meant SRH had to rebuild instead of attacking from the start.
LSG’s Fielding Strategy Worked Perfectly: Pant’s decision to place Nicholas Pooran at deep square leg paid off, as Abhishek’s mistimed pull found him directly.
Thakur’s Reputation as a Breakthrough Bowler Strengthened: He once again proved why he is trusted in pressure situations, consistently delivering key moments for his team.

LSG’s Road Ahead in IPL 2025

For Lucknow Super Giants, the early strikes against SRH in this match reinforced their strong bowling unit, which would be critical in their campaign for IPL 2025.

With Rishabh Pant leading the side confidently, LSG’s ability to strike early in powerplays gives them an added advantage against high-scoring teams.

Thakur’s performance in this game will boost LSG’s confidence in crunch situations, proving that their bowling attack can challenge even the most formidable batting lineups.

A Defining Over in the Match

Shardul Thakur’s double-wicket over was the defining moment of the game’s early phase. By removing Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan in successive deliveries, he ensured that LSG gained the early momentum against a powerful SRH batting order.

Though Travis Head fought back bravely, the psychological edge remained with LSG, as their disciplined bowling put the opposition under pressure.

As IPL 2025 progresses, moments like these will define teams’ success—and for Shardul Thakur, this performance will be remembered as one of his best powerplay masterclasses.

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