Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) became the first team to win the Indian Premier League 2026 when they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a close match on Sunday, April 5, in the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Entering into the contest following a loss to the Delhi Capitals (DC), LSG swung back powerfully to score their first point of the season.
Captain Rishabh Pant led by example and maintained his calmness in the last few moments and hit the winning hits. Team owner, Sanjiv Goenka, was in the stands, and he could be seen to be relieved as his franchise won their first game of the campaign. It was also a victory that contributed to the recent speculation of tension in the camp where Goenka was spotted having a lively conversation with Pant after they lost to DC. Such concerns had been previously brushed off by the franchise and this outcome also solidified a feeling of cohesion.
ಛಲ ಬಿಡದ Pant ಆಟಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಜಯ ಇದು!🌟
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— Star Sports Kannada (@StarSportsKan) April 5, 2026SRH had earlier in the match batted first and the team recorded 156/9 in their 20 overs having had a bad start where their top order collapsed cheaply. But Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy made a powerful comeback, scoring 116 on the fifth wicket in only 63 balls. Klaasen made a total of 62 out of 41 balls with five fours and two sixes and Reddy made 56 out of 33 balls with three boundaries and five sixes.
LSG Hold Nerve to Clinch Tight Victory Against SRH
In the case of LSG, Mohammed Shami impressed with excellent figures of 2/9 whereby Prince Yadav and Avesh Khan have 2/34 and 2/36 respectively.
In response, LSG ran after the target with a ball to spare. Aiden Markram made a vital contribution of 45 off 27 balls, and skipper Rishabh Pant maintained his cool to help the team to win the match with a score of 68 off 50 balls, scoring 9 fours.
Of the bowling unit of SRH, Harsh Dubey scored 2/18, and a couple of run-outs ensured that the hosts remained in the game till the end. Nevertheless, in their attempts, LSG was able to discover their rhythm and win the first game of the season.
