IPL Bulletin For March 28: From LSG Giving SRH Taste of Their Own Medicine to CSK vs RCB Southern Derby Hype

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It's nearly a week done in the eighteenth edition of the Indian Premier League, and we have witnessed many high-scoring contests to a rare low-scoring affair since IPL 2025 got underway on March 22 in Kolkata.

And for a change, Sunrisers Hyderabad was at the receiving end of a batting onslaught on their home turf, where one of their former players smashed the fastest half century of the season, and one player who was unsold at the auction played a match-winning role.

As the dust settles on the run-feast in Hyderabad, the action now shifts to one of the oldest rivalry as Chennai Super Kings battle Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first Southern Derby of the season with doubts over the fitness of one prime pacer in focus.

While one team will have their experienced bowler back, another has been backed to pass the spin test thrown against him from the opposition tweakers. Here is a look at the IPL Bulletin For March 28:

Lucknow Super Giants open their account under Rishabh Pant

After losing their season opener against Delhi Capitals, LSG landed their first win of the campaign under new captain Rishabh Pant as they took to the fearless approach right from the toss when they opted to chase against SRH on their home turf.

Lucknow Super Giants beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets. The Sunrisers struggled to find their usual big-hitting rhythm and Lucknow punished them in the chase, easily reaching their target of 191 with 23 balls to spare.

Lucknow Super Giants Give Sunrisers Taste of Their Own Medicine

LSG made lightwork of the run chase as they avenged last season's defeat at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. In IPL 2024, SRH chased down 167 inside 10 overs. Now, a year later, LSG returned the favour by chasing down 191 with almost four overs to spare.

Nicholas Pooran Smashes Fastest Fifty of IPL 2025

Pooran returned to haunt his former side by smashing an 18-ball fifty, the fastest of the ongoing tournament, bettering his LSG teammate Mitch Marsh's 21-ball effort in the defeat to Delhi Capitals.

Pooran's swift knock of 70 from 26 balls that included 6 sixes and 6 fours along with the 116-run stand with Marsh, who also scored 52 off 31 balls, proved to be the answer to SRH's challenging total.

Unsold at auction, Shardul Thakur proves match-winner for LSG

After going unsold at the mega auction, Shardul was picked up by LSG as an injury replacement for Mohsin Khan, and the all-rounder has paid in full to the franchise's faith. He claimed two wickets in his first appearance. But on Thursday (March 27), Thakur bowled a match-winning spell.

Bowling against the fierce top order, Thakur struck early removing Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan in successive deliveries before returning to dismiss Abhinav Manohar and Mohammed Shami to finish with figures of 4/34 on an unforgiving surface for the bowlers.

RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik backs Virat Kohli against CSK spinners

RCB is set to face a test of spin when they go up against CSK with R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad to contend with on a tricky surface in Chepauk. However, RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik has backed his batters to tackle the spin.

Virat Kohli has shown signs of struggle against the slower bowlers, averaging over 54 but with strike rate of around 120 since 2023. But Karthik down played concerns over his team's talisman's struggles versus the tweakers.

CSK likely to miss key pacer for RCB clash

Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, nicknamed baby Malinga, missed CSK's opener against Mumbai Indians last weekend, and is also set to miss the clash against RCB as he continues to recover from fitness concerns. So, Nathan Ellis may keep his spot in the eleven for now.

Seasoned campaigner to return for RCB vs CSK

While CSK miss a young pacer in Pathirana, there was good news for the RCB faithful as experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to make his second debut from the Bengaluru-based side against their rivals CSK in Chennai today.

Bhuvneshwar had missed RCB's season opening win over Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata. But the veteran is all set to return to the playing eleven and is likely to replace Rasikh Dhar in the team.

CSK head coach expects even contest

CSK have had the number on RCB in previous campaigns, but head coach Stephen Fleming downplayed past performances and acknowledged the changes both teams have undergone since last season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

With playing conditions always a factor in any game, the CSK head coach admitted that adaptability will be key as the team navigates different pitches throughout the tournament.