The opening season of a fresh IPL cycle is rarely smooth. Teams are still figuring out combinations, players are settling into roles, and consistency often takes time. For Lucknow Super Giants, the 2025 season followed that pattern closely. Injuries in the pace department disrupted their rhythm, and despite decent performances from the top order, they ended up finishing seventh.
One issue stood out clearly — their performance with the ball in the Powerplay. It wasn’t just below par, it was the weakest among all teams that season.
Average: 49.72 | Economy: 10.65 | False Shot %: 16.1
These numbers reflected a lack of control and attacking intent. The bowlers struggled to create pressure, rarely forcing mistakes from batters. Just 18 wickets in 14 matches during this phase highlighted the problem further.
Powerplay Performance – IPL 2025
| Team | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | False Shot % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSG | 14 | 18 | 49.72 | 10.65 | 16.1 |
| SRH | 14 | 20 | 42.05 | 10.01 | 18.1 |
| DC | 13 | 16 | 46.56 | 9.55 | 19.7 |
| MI | 16 | 26 | 33.57 | 9.09 | 20.9 |
| KKR | 13 | 20 | 35.55 | 9.11 | 21.5 |
| PBKS | 17 | 23 | 38.95 | 9.23 | 21.6 |
| RR | 14 | 16 | 48.12 | 9.16 | 22.8 |
| RCB | 15 | 27 | 28.55 | 8.56 | 23.2 |
| CSK | 14 | 20 | 39.85 | 9.48 | 23.8 |
| GT | 15 | 19 | 45.21 | 9.54 | 26.9 |
Recognising the issue, the franchise made quick changes ahead of the new season. Bringing in Bharat Arun as bowling coach was a clear signal of intent. His track record with fast bowlers made him an ideal fit for rebuilding this unit.
Alongside that, Mohammed Shami’s arrival added experience and skill. Having worked together before, the combination of Arun and Shami brings both familiarity and clarity in execution.
Conditions at Lucknow have also played their part. The red soil pitch offers good bounce and carry, making it suitable for seam bowlers. In a recent match, this was evident as the team recorded a false shot percentage of over 37% — a significant jump from last season.
Shami led from the front, troubling batters early with tight lines and subtle movement. Mohsin Khan, returning after a long break, showed glimpses of his strengths with left-arm angle and bounce.
One of the most interesting developments has been Prince Yadav. Previously used mainly in later phases of the innings, he has now adapted to the Powerplay. Instead of bowling too full, he focused on hitting the right length consistently, which paid off with key wickets.
In fact, in that match, LSG’s seamers avoided overpitching completely in the Powerplay and relied heavily on good-length deliveries — a clear tactical shift.
Although they controlled the early overs well, the team lost momentum later in the innings. However, the bigger takeaway was the direction they are heading in. A strong start with the ball, combined with batting depth, could form the base of their strategy going forward.
For a team rebuilding its identity, clarity in approach matters just as much as results.
