Top 5 players to watch out for in the LSG vs PBKS IPL 2025 match

In the thrilling escapades of underdogs dominating the IPL 2025 points table so far, it's easy to miss the fact that Punjab Kings are yet to play their second game. The GT vs PBKS IPL 2025 match, where the team led by Shreyas Iyer defended their 243-run total in Ahmedabad, is the only fixture they have played so far. Now, right after a week of that match, Punjab Kings are set to take the field again, this time against Lucknow Super Giants in yet another away fixture. LSG, meanwhile, have played two matches in the season so far, picking up contrary results in both. While they started with a narrow defeat in the DC vs LSG campaign opener, the Rishabh Pant led side cut the wings of high-flying Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last fixture. Now, the stage is set for a fiery battle at Ekana as the teams gear up for the LSG vs PBKS IPL 2025 clash.

Key players to watch out for in the LSG vs PBKS IPL 205 match

Both PBKS and LSG, with their victories against GT and SRH, respectively, are currently placed among the top five in the IPL 2025 points table. Punjab Kings, under Shreyas Iyer, who hit an unbeaten 97 on his debut for Punjab, look worthy of the rank they currently hold. However, a lot of the tournament is still left to unfold. LSG faltered right at the start as Ashutosh Sharma led Delhi Capitals to complete a thrilling chase in Vizag with just one wicket remaining. However, their "hampered" bowling lineup, as touted due to the absence of key players like Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav, became the first to challenge the hard-hitting Sunrisers Hyderabad. With Shardul Thakur headlining the pace attack and Nicholas Pooran redefining LSG's batting prowess, they have pulled their campaign back on track.

Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran, at his promoted position in the LSG batting order, has been a nightmare for opponents. Pooran set the tone for the season ahead with a scintillating 75 off just 30 in the DC vs LSG campaign opener as he came out to bat at No.3. While LSG lost the match, they found a reliable, in-form prospect for the top order, who continued his assault in the next match as well. Pooran showed up again, this time even better, as LSG chased down 190 against Hyderabad in the away fixture. The batter came through with a 70 off 26 knock as his team wrapped up the chase in the 17th over itself. Showcasing brilliant form, Pooran surely emerges as one of the key players to watch out for in the LSG vs PBKS IPL 2025 match.

Mitchell Marsh

Another prospect strengthening the LSG top order, Mitchell Marsh has not been cleared to play as an all-rounder in IPL 2025 due to injury concerns. The Australian, however, has made sure that he aces the one role he is playing for LSG, as a pure batter. Opening the innings for his team along with Aiden Markram, Marsh has put up an impressive performance, with his hitting prowess fitting the powerplay needs of the team. The season for LSG started with Marsh smashing 72 off just 36 against the home team in Visakhapatnam. Moving ahead, the opener made the chase much easier in the SRH vs LSG IPL 2025 clash, smashing 52 off 31 before Pooran wrapped things up swiftly. Fitting the needs of LSG seamlessly at the top, it will be interesting to see how Marsh performs at LSG's home ground, which is infamous for aiding the bowlers.

Shardul Thakur

The bowling lineup of LSG, devoid of the likes of Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, and Mayank Yadav, significantly worried the fans, until Shardul Thakur walked in. The seam all-rounder was overlooked by all franchises in the IPL 2025 mega auction, only to join the LSG camp as an injury replacement for Mohsin Khan. A twin strike in the opening over of the DC vs LSG match showcased the prowess that Lucknow imparted in the squad by calling up Thakur. The pacer has performed seamlessly for his new team in the IPL, scalping six wickets across two matches, including a four-fer against the fiery SRH batting lineup. Now that Shardul Thakur gets the chance to play at Ekana, a turf already unfavorable for batters, the seamer emerges as an obvious prospect to watch out for in the LSG vs PBKS IPL 2025 match.

Shreyas Iyer

The new captain of Punjab Kings hogged the spotlight as soon as he took the field in the GT vs PBKS IPL 2025 match. The skipper bashed right from the word go as he pushed his team to a mammoth total of 243 after GT dismissed their opener, Prabhsimran Singh, early in the powerplay. The unbeaten 97 in Ahmedabad showed what Shreyas Iyer aims to bring this season. The captain, meanwhile, successfully defended his total despite an impressive charge by Gujarat Titans batters, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler. Gearing up for another battle away from his new home in Punjab, Iyer lies central to PBKS's victory plans in IPL 2025.

Arshdeep Singh

The speedster, India's highest wicket-taker in the shorter format, could rarely be left out of a list like this. The pace spearhead is the main prospect in the bowling attack, aiding his new captain, Shreyas Iyer, in the PBKS camp. Beyond his own brilliance with the ball, Arshdeep suggested bringing in Vijaykumar Vyshak as an impact player in the GT vs PBKS game, who then defended the total against Gujarat. As for Arshdeep, the seamer scalped two wickets in the campaign opener with an economy of 9.00, the lowest among Punjab Kings bowlers in Ahmedabad.