Aakash Chopra opens up on LSG’s concern ahead of IPL 2025 clash vs SRH

Former Indian Test opener feels fast bowling will be Lucknow Super Giants’ concern ahead of their second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday. LSG could not defend 210 in the opening game against Delhi Capitals despite dominating the majority of the contest.

Lucknow doesn’t have a lot of experience in their pace battery and it could be an issue for them. On the other hand, SRH has a potent batting unit as they have batters like Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Chopra noted that LSG captain Rishabh Pant didn’t get back Shardul Thakur into the attack against Delhi Capitals in the death overs.

“Shardul Thakur picked up two wickets with the new ball in the last match. However, he wasn’t brought back into the attack. Was that a big blunder? Will they take a lesson from that because they have problems? They don’t have fast bowlers. They are managing,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“They even played Prince Yadav, and he bowled well. Shardul Thakur is there, but it’s an extremely rookie bowling attack. They are figuring out things. They are somehow getting the job done. They are not bad, but if you have such a dangerous side against you, and if your bowling is even slightly weak, that is going to get exposed,” he added.

On the other hand, the renowned commentator said this match will be an homecoming for LSG opener Aiden Markram, who had earlier led Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“The opening was very good. Mitchell Marsh played extremely well. Aiden Markram has led the SunRisers Hyderabad in the past, and he is the captain of the SunRisers Eastern Cape. He manages the team well and makes them win. So it will be homecoming for him,” he said.

Chopra urged Rishabh Pant to be more careful in his strokeplay as he was dismissed for a six-ball duck against Delhi Capitals

“So how he would play, that is another big one, because Lucknow scored runs in the last match, but they lost in the end. So Markram to begin with and Rishabh Pant’s form. I feel he (Pant) will have to play a little carefully. At times, if you get to bat first against this team, you go ultra-aggressive,” Chopra concluded.