IPL 2025: Why is Shahbaz Ahmed not in Starting XI in SRH vs LSG Match 7?

Shahbaz Ahmed will not be featuring in match No. 7 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday, March 27.

Rishabh Pant-led LSG had a tough start to IPL 2025 as they suffered a gut-wrenching one-wicket defeat against Delhi Capitals in Vizag. Meanwhile, Sunrisers pummeled the Rajasthan Royals in their first match at home, winning by 44 runs after amassing a staggering total of 286/6.

Toss Update

Pant won the toss for the Super Giants and asked Sunrisers to bat first. He backed his batters to chase down whatever score the formidable SRH batting lineup puts up in the first innings. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins asserted that his players are trying to be positive and hoped that the batters will put up a big score like in the previous encounter against the Royals.

Why is Shahbaz Ahmed not playing?

Shahbaz Ahmed, who is primarily a batting all-rounder, batted at No. 8 below bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur. He did not have time to make much of an impact as he came late in the innings and had to go after the bowlers from ball one. With the ball, Pant used Shahbaz at the backend of the Delhi innings, and he gave away 22 runs in 1.3 overs. He produced two chances, but Pant failed to latch onto either of them. The Bengal all-rounder has made way for fast bowler Avesh Khan in the vital clash against SRH.

What did the captains say at the toss?

Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

It doesn't change the way our boys go about it, we always try to be positive. It's great fun. You know what you are signing up for coming into this tournament. Even going for 10 or 11 runs in an over, that can be match winning on somedays. We want to win games as a team and do well as a bowling unit. Hopefully we score big. We are playing with the same team like the other day.

Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)

We will bowl first. I think we got to get them out early and look to chase the target. It depends on the team combination, that's why we want to bowl first. We have the batting to chase it down. The only change is Avesh comes back, Shahbaz misses out. We gonna chase whatever they score, doesn't matter.

SRH vs LSG Playing XIs