IPL 2025: Exit Interviews - LSG, KKR & DC

All of these teams had a chance to make the playoffs at times, but really, weren’t that close.

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There are more teams going home in the IPL early. Let us take a very close look at what has actually gone on with them in our exit interviews.

LSG

The ratios in the team maps tell us how much better or worse they are than normal. 1 is par, higher the better. Updated as of last Thursday’s game for each of the three teams.

A lot of people weren't very optimistic about Lucknow's chances before the start of the season. By that I mean me, who had them for dead last. That was because their bowling lineup did not look great on paper. Their only overseas quick/bowler was Shamar Joseph, and he didn’t play a single game. As a bowling unit, they have the worst economy rate and the third-worst strike rate this season.

But Digvesh Rathi helped a lot, he’s been the standout bowler for LSG, picking up 14 wickets in 13 games at an economy of 8.25. He was used in all three phases of the innings. Their only other frontline bowler who played at least six games and conceded less than 10 runs per over was Prince Yadav. He took 3 wickets in 6 games at an economy rate of 9.85.

They had a good season with the bat: fourth-best strike rate and the fourth-best average. Their strongest phase with the bat was the powerplay. The opening pair of Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram did pretty well too, while Nicholas Pooran started the season in a way few others ever have in IPL history. Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad also had their moments. David Miller was quite underwhelming, though.

I think Lucknow overperformed this year thanks to Pooran being incredible early on. But they could also argue that it’s almost impossible to have a year this bad from Rishabh Pant. If he has a half-decent season, surely Lucknow are in a better place? It also doesn’t make sense to move on from him after just one terrible season. But his gameplay against spin in T20s has now been a cause for concern since the 2020 IPL.

LSG won only two home games and lost five. They actually beat two strong sides – MI (though they weren’t in form back then) and GT. Batting first in all the losses, they failed to defend scores of 171, 166, 159, 205 & 227 against PBKS, CSK, DC, SRH and RCB, respectively. Comparatively, Lucknow were better at home in the previous two seasons, winning seven and losing six.

I think their batting is okay, but they need bowlers. They will hope Mayank Yadav is fit and firing at his best next season, as they’ve invested 11 crores in him. Will O’Rourke is one bowling option they could think about retaining for next year based on his talent and attributes. Of course, he’s played most of his T20 cricket in New Zealand so far. Should they consider selling Miller and Akash Deep and freeing up another 15.5 crores to spend on bowlers? One key thing is a back up overseas bowler who can play when things go wrong.

I don’t know if this squad can win a title in this cycle, but I can see them sneaking into the playoffs. But bowlers are important.