April 12th, 2025: In a thrilling encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Rishabh Pant’s Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) took on Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans (GT) in match 26 of the IPL 2025. This is the first game of the double-header Saturday, and both teams have a lot at stake.
Gujarat Titans are currently sitting pretty at the top of the points table with 8 points from 5 games. On the other hand, LSG has 6 points and can potentially break into the top 4 with a win here. GT is on a four-match winning streak, while LSG has found their rhythm, winning their last two matches. The toss was won by LSG, and they decided to bowl first. But there’s a big twist – LSG will play without their in-form superstar, Mitchell Marsh.
Mitchell Marsh, who is the third-highest run-scorer this season, has been replaced by Himmat Singh. Marsh’s absence is due to personal reasons; his daughter is unwell, and he has opted to stay home to care for her. This is a significant loss for LSG, but Rishabh Pant has backed his team to step up in his absence.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans made one big change as well, with Washington Sundar coming in for Kulwant Khejroliya. Let’s take a look at what the captains had to say during the toss:
“We are going to bowl first. The wicket looks good. Happy to win the last two matches. As a team, we talk about the process and the team is responding well now. Our bowlers have done a really good job, we have to give credit to them. Instead of Mitchell Marsh, Himmat Singh comes in. His daughter is not well,” said Rishabh Pant at the toss.
“I would have bowled first as well. I don’t think the wicket is going to change much. Everyone is contributing, and that’s been one of the hallmarks for us. Washi comes in for Kulwant,” said Shubman Gill.
LSG vs GT Playing XIs:
Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Himmat Singh, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi.
Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (w), Washington Sundar, Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj.
