Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

The 13th match of IPL 2025 has the makings of a classic. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), one of the surprise packets, take on fancied Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the first match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium this season.

LSG’s bowling attack has punched above its weight so far, performing better than expected. Shardul Thakur has been the leader, producing a superb performance in Hyderabad last week when SRH were widely expected to put on a massive score.

However, more in line with predictions has been LSG’s batting. Nicholas Pooran has been out of this world, smashing 145 runs at a strike rate of 258.92 so far. Mitchell Marsh has also looked good, but more will be expected of Aiden Markram and Rishabh Pant. On a Lucknow surface that favoured batting in the recent Women’s Premier League, LSG will aim to go big with the bat again.

PBKS will finally line up for their second game, and are seeking to join Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru as the teams with two wins from two games. Shreyas Iyer started magnificently in Ahmedabad last week, while Shashank Singh sent a reminder of his brilliant finishing abilities.

While PBKS conceded 232 against Gujarat Titans, they have plenty of bowling resources. Arshdeep Singh is a factor in the crunch overs. Azmatullah Omarzai and Marco Jansen are excellent powerplay options. Yuzvendra Chahal speaks for himself, and Vijaykumar Vyshak changed the game with his yorkers. Their battle against LSG’s batting lineup will make for fascinating viewing.

In this article, we will look at the possible playing XIIs, Lucknow pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 Prediction for the 13th match of IPL 2025.

IPL 2025 13th Match – LSG vs PBKS Possible Playing XIIs

LSG may stick with the same XII, unless they opt to replace Aiden Markram.

Lucknow Super Giants: 1. Mitchell Marsh (OS), 2. Aiden Markram (OS), 3. Nicholas Pooran (OS), 4. Rishabh Pant (c & wk), 5. Ayush Badoni, 6. David Miller (OS), 7. Abdul Samad, 8. Shardul Thakur, 9. Ravi Bishnoi, 10. Prince Yadav, 11. Avesh Khan, 12. Digvesh Rathi

PBKS may also stick with the same XII that prevailed against GT.

Punjab Kings: 1. Priyansh Arya, 2. Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Azmatullah Omarzai (OS), 5. Glenn Maxwell (OS), 6. Marcus Stoinis (OS), 7. Shashank Singh, 8. Suryansh Shedge, 9. Marco Jansen (OS), 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal, 12. Vijaykumar Vyshak

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium Lucknow Pitch Report and Weather

The Lucknow tracks were tough to bat on last season, but better batting surfaces are expected in IPL 2025. In four matches in the Women’s Premier League, the average first innings score was 184.5. Teams batting first and second won two games each.

A very hot evening is forecast with temperatures in the mid-30s at start time. There is no chance of rain, but the possibility of dew may tempt the toss-winning captain to chase.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for LSG vs PBKS: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Nicholas Pooran is a must-pick in Dream11. Since the start of 2024, Pooran has smashed 664 runs in the IPL at an average of 64.4 and strike rate of 191.7. Against spin, the strike rate bumps up to 200 in this period.

Key batter picks:

• Shreyas Iyer is in dream form. After 243 runs at 48.60 in the recent Champions Trophy, Iyer belted 97* (42) against GT.
• Iyer has a good head-to-head record against LSG’s key bowler, Shardul Thakur, in the IPL: 35 balls, 55 runs, one wicket.
• Mitchell Marsh has made a great start to IPL 2025, hitting fifties in both games.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Glenn Maxwell has a favourable matchup against Rishabh Pant (see matchups below) and has conceded just 16 runs off 16 balls against Pooran in all T20s. While Maxwell has been short of runs, he can be of good fantasy value as PBKS will look to bowl him against the left-handers. Also, he has it in him to deliver with the bat.
• Marcus Stoinis has the third-most T20 runs on this ground (336) at an average of 30.55 and strike rate of 136.03. He also has five wickets at a strike rate of 15.60.

Key bowler picks:

• Shardul Thakur has been one of the stories of IPL 2025 so far. Unsold in the auction, Thakur has picked up six wickets in two games after being brought in as an injury replacement for Mohsin Khan.
• Shardul has an excellent head-to-head record against Glenn Maxwell in T20s: 34 balls, 43 runs, three wickets.
• Arshdeep Singh is a key fantasy pick given he bowls in the powerplay and death overs. Since the start of last season, Arshdeep has taken 21 IPL wickets, with 11 coming between overs 16-20.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Priyansh Arya made a superb start to the IPL season, smashing a 23-ball 47 last week against GT.
• Rishabh Pant has started the season in slow fashion, scoring just 15 runs off 21 balls so far. However, he can fire on his day. He has a strike rate of 140.7 in the IPL against Yuzvendra Chahal.
• Shashank Singh can be a strong differential pick. He is an excellent finisher, notching up 398 IPL runs at a strike rate of 172.3 in 15 innings since the start of IPL 2024.
• Yuzvendra Chahal has picked up 47 wickets in the middle overs since the start of IPL 2022. He has a good matchup against Mitch Marsh (11 balls, 12 runs, one wicket).
• Aiden Markram has had a poor start to the season. But, Markram is the kind of player who can fire on his day. He is worth a pick in some fantasy cricket leagues, although Shardul Thakur has enjoyed some success against him: 14 balls, 16 wickets, one wicket.
• Azmatullah Omarzai is an excellent swing bowler in the powerplay. He can test Markram and Marsh up top with any movement.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 4, LSG 3, PBKS 1.
• Ravi Bishnoi’s T20 record at this ground: 13 inns, 15 wickets, avg. 22.67, SR 17.80.
• Arshdeep Singh vs Nicholas Pooran in the IPL: 25 balls, 43 runs, one wicket.
• Yuzvendra Chahal vs Nicholas Pooran in all T20s: 76 balls, 127 runs, one wicket.
• PBKS could look to introduce Glenn Maxwell early to Rishabh Pant: 12 balls, 11 runs, two wickets.
• Shardul Thakur vs Marcus Stoinis in the IPL: 22 balls, 38 runs, two wickets.
• Arshdeep Singh vs David Miller in all T20s: 28 balls, 44 runs, one wicket.
• Arshdeep Singh vs Mitch Marsh in all T20s: 16 balls, 39 runs, one wicket.

IPL 2025 13th Match: LSG vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2025 13th Match: LSG vs PBKS Match Prediction – Who will win?

PBKS’ bowling attack could prove to be the difference here. Backing PBKS to prevail with the win.