Can Arshdeep Singh's 3-16 Lead PBKS to Victory Over LSG in IPL 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Arshdeep Singh delivered a match-winning performance with 3-16.
- PBKS scored a formidable total of 236.
- The team is now in second place in the IPL 2025 points table.
- Prabhsimran Singh's innings of 91 was crucial for the team's success.
- LSG struggled with a low powerplay score of 38/3.
Dharamshala, May 4 (NationPress) Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh made a remarkable impact with the new ball, showcasing both swing and bounce to dismantle the top-order of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). His performance was instrumental in guiding Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a 37-run victory, elevating them to second place in the IPL 2025 points table at the HPCA Stadium on Sunday.
Following a stellar innings from Prabhsimran Singh, who scored a magnificent 91, PBKS posted a formidable total of 236/5. Arshdeep's early breakthroughs—removing Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran during the powerplay—significantly tilted the match in favor of PBKS. Although Ayush Badoni (74) and Abdul Samad (45) combined for an 81-run partnership for the sixth wicket, LSG ended their innings at 199/7, thus maintaining a decent net run rate while PBKS secured crucial points for their playoff ambitions.
The PBKS defense began strongly, with Arshdeep claiming the wickets of Marsh and Markram in the third over. Marsh’s flick was expertly caught at deep backward square leg, while Markram fell victim to a chop onto his stumps. Arshdeep continued to shine in the powerplay, trapping Pooran lbw with a well-placed inswinger, leaving LSG struggling at 38/3—marking their lowest powerplay score of the season.
Rishabh Pant managed to hit three boundaries in his brief 18 off 17 balls before being dismissed in a dramatic fashion—losing control of his bat against Azmatullah Omarzai, resulting in an easy catch at deep cover. LSG's woes continued as David Miller also fell victim to Omarzai.
Despite the challenges, Samad and Badoni showcased their prowess with explosive hitting—accumulating 21 runs off Vyshak Vijaykumar's first over, and Samad later smashed two sixes off Yuzvendra Chahal in the 13th over. Samad continued his assault, hitting a four and a six off Marcus Stoinis, before being dismissed for a quick 45 off just 24 balls.
Badoni reached his fifty in just 32 balls, hitting Vyshak over long-on for six, and followed up with an impressive display of boundaries. However, Chahal eventually forced Badoni to miscue, resulting in his dismissal for a well-played 74 off 40 balls, as PBKS celebrated a comprehensive victory.
Brief Scores: Punjab Kings 236/5 in 20 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 91, Shreyas Iyer 45; Akash Singh 2-30, Digvesh Rathi 2-46) defeated Lucknow Super Giants 199/7 in 20 overs (Ayush Badoni 74, Abdul Samad 45; Arshdeep Singh 3-16, Azmatullah Omarzai 2-33) by 37 runs