Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

The IPL moves back to Lucknow for the 61st match of the tournament. It is Lucknow Super Giants’ final chance to keep their season alive, as a campaign of promise has withered away somewhat in recent weeks.

LSG are in this precarious position after winning just one of their past five matches, coinciding with Nicholas Pooran’s slide in form. The maximum number of points they can finish on is 16, and with MI (4th) on 14 and DC (5th) on 13, LSG are hoping for many scenarios to go their way. But, for now, they must control what they can, and that is getting back to winning ways.

They take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) who are out of contention for the playoffs. SRH have failed to deliver in a season that promised so much, with the franchise unable to fix glaring issues including too many wickets lost in the powerplay and lack of impact in the spin department.

However, SRH will be keen to play spoilsport here and avoid the possibility of finishing bottom of the table. In this article, we will look at the possible playing XIIs, Lucknow pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 prediction for the 61st match of IPL 2025.

IPL 2025 61st Match: LSG vs SRH Possible Playing XIIs

According to ESPNcricinfo, Aiden Markram is available until the end of the league stage as he will feature in next month’s World Test Championship Final. Other overseas players available are Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Matthew Breetzke and Will O’Rourke.

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

Travis Head is in doubt for this match as he has tested positive for Covid-19. The opener will arrive in India on the morning of the match. Coach Daniel Vettori said he will be assessed after arrival.

In terms of other overseas players, Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, Kamindu Mendis and Eshan Malinga are all available for selection.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. Sachin Baby/Travis Head, 2. Abhishek Sharma, 3. Ishan Kishan (wk), 4. Heinrich Klaasen, 5. Nitish Reddy, 6. Aniket Verma, 7. Kamindu Mendis, 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Jaydev Unadkat, 10. Harshal Patel, 11. Mohammed Shami, 12. Zeeshan Ansari

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

The average first innings score at Lucknow this season is 175.8. Chasing teams have won four of the five games. Only a score above 200 has been successfully defended so far on this ground in IPL 2025.

Pacers have taken 32 wickets in Lucknow compared to 18 by spinners. However, the spinners have had more of an influence in recent matches.

The forecast is for very hot and clear conditions with a top of around 40 degrees. Chasing is likely to be preferred.

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

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Nicholas Pooran smashed 70 off 26 balls against SRH earlier this season. Despite a dip in form, the LSG left-hander remains a top fantasy pick.
• Heinrich Klaasen has struck 52 runs off 33 balls without dismissal against legspin in IPL 2025. SRH’s second-highest run-scorer this season (311, SR 153.96) will be key here.

Key batter picks:

• Mitchell Marsh is LSG’s second-highest run-scorer with 378 at a strike rate of 155.55. He has struck four fifties, including a 31-ball 52 against SRH earlier in IPL 2025.
• Ayush Badoni has been in magnificent touch. The middle order batsman has made scores of 41, 30, 28*, 22, 50, 36, 35 and 74 in his past eight innings.
• Batting first this season, Badoni has scored 183 runs at an average of 30.5 and strike rate of 141.9. Batting second, he has 143 runs at an average of 47.7 and strike rate of 162.5.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Aiden Markram has struck three fifties in his past four matches at Lucknow. Also, Markram’s offspin can come in handy against SRH’s left-handers. Markram is a genuine c/vc option in Dream11.
• Abhishek Sharma struck 74 in his last innings against GT back on May 2. While it has not been a prolific season for Abhishek, he can go massive on his day. It’s a risk leaving him out of your fantasy teams.

Key bowler picks:

• Pat Cummins was excellent in the powerplay in SRH’s last match against DC. He comes up against an LSG side that can lose regular wickets.
• Harshal Patel, SRH’s leading wicket-taker with 14, is striking every 14.57 deliveries this season.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Shardul Thakur has a superb record against Abhishek Sharma in the IPL: 16 balls, 17 runs, three wickets. The pacer dismissed Abhishek in the earlier meeting this season.
• Aniket Verma smashed 32 off 13 deliveries against LSG earlier in IPL 2025.
• Digvesh Rathi takes a wicket per match on average at Lucknow this season at an economy of just 6.40.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 5, LSG 4, SRH 1.
• Ishan Kishan averages 11.3 since his century in SRH’s first match of IPL 2025. But, he could open in this game and can fire on his day.
• Pat Cummins vs Nicholas Pooran in domestic T20s: 26 balls, 41 runs, one dismissal. Cummins dismissed Pooran in the earlier meeting this season.
• Harshal Patel vs Nicholas Pooran in all T20s: 49 balls, 79 runs, one dismissal.
• Mohammed Shami vs Aiden Markram in the IPL: 12 balls, 17 runs, two wickets. Shami dismissed Markram in the earlier meeting this season.
• Harshal Patel vs David Miller in the IPL: 39 balls, 64 runs, no wickets.

IPL 2025 61st Match: LSG vs SRH 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 61st Match: LSG vs SRH Match Prediction – Who will win?

A tough game to predict given both sides have struggled for consistency. Will back LSG for a victory at home.