From bystanders to game-changers, LSG seamers flip the roles to great effect within four days © BCCI Heading into IPL 2025, the fast-bowling department appeared to be LSG’s weakest link, with injuries to several key members of that group, including the two retentions: Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav. Despite bowling second in their opening game, LSG opted to use more spin with seamers Shardul Thakur and Prince Yadav returning 2/64 in 6 overs between them, and eventually ended up losing from a position of strength. As it turned out, led by an unlikely hero, they aced the challenge against the most destructive batting line-up on show and returned 6/102 in 12 overs combined (ER: 8.5), at a venue that had seen nine 200-plus totals in the previous 7 IPL games. They needed some good fortune too – Abhishek Sharma hit one straight to long-leg off almost a nothing delivery, Ishan Kishan gloved one down the leg-side and Heinrich Klaasen was victim to the most unfortunate of dismissals, but a deeper look highlights a well executed plan. RR seamers predominantly went short at this venue on Sunday, and ended up conceding 286/6. LSG bowlers found a better mix in terms of lengths, and the usual slot balls – the half-volleys – erred more on the fuller side, resulting in three wickets. LSG quicks vs SRH (by lengths) Length Runs Balls Wks Ave SR ER Dot% Bnd% full toss 17 11 0 – – 9.27 16.6 18.18 yorker 7 9 0 – – 4.66 30 0 half volley 21 20 3 7 6.6 6.3 35 10 length ball 34 14 1 34 14 14.57 26.6 42.85 back of a length 14 9 1 14 9 9.33 22.2 22.22 short 9 8 1 9 8 6.75 50 12.5 half tracker 0 0 0 – – – 0 – Of the 29 balls that were pitched within the yorker or the half volley zone, 21 were outside off or further wide, resulting in 2/21 with the wickets of Abhinav Manohar and Pat Cummins, the latter having struck three sixes off his first three balls. Since the start of IPL 2024, the current SRH batters have the highest attacking-shot percentage against pace (77.0%) and overall (74.1%) among all the 10 squads in IPL 2025. However, this lot also has the lowest strike-rate against yorkers from quicks (88.75) in the same time-frame, and it has been an effective option in the two games so far, with the ones erring on the shorter side too, working for LSG on Thursday. It can certainly be a go-to option for teams ahead in the competition, provided there’s a proper mix to avoid predictability.
