Punjab Kings (PBKS), on Tuesday (April 1), inflicted a heavy eight-wicket defeat on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to extend their winning start in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025).
The Punjab-based outfit completely dominated the game and outplayed LSG to register their second win of the season. While PBKS players came up with a splendid performance in the game, it was the umpires who became the talk of the town towards the end of the game.
Umpires announced a strategic timeout with PBKS needing 1 run to win
The reason they decided to announce the strategic time-out when PBKS needed just one run to win the game. The scores were level after the end of the 16th over when the on-field umpires decided to announce the time out, leaving many surprised.
As per the existing rules, each team gets one three-minute strategic timeout per innings. The bowling team gets the time out between overs 6-9 while the batting team between overs 13-16. In case a team does not take its strategic timeout before the 16th over, it is automatically enforced after that over.
So, the umpires just followed the rules, but the call left many puzzled and confused. Here are some of the reactions to the umpires’ decision.
Here are a few reactions:
We’ve finally done it. A Strategic Timeout in the #IPL with one run to win from four overs. Not a lot of people know this, but as a strategy analyst, this is where you come alive. This is the moment you train for, the ultimate test. Everything has been building to this moment
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) April 1, 2025
1 run needed to win and we have a strategic time out. Would be interesting to know what strategies LSG would make at this time…
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) April 1, 2025
I wonder what strategy is being discussed in this strategic timeout 😄🤓
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 1, 2025
1 runs needed for win & umpires called for the strategic timeout, man things like this make people go against IPL!! pic.twitter.com/erOwIhAPX7
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) April 1, 2025
strategic timeout with one run needed to win pic.twitter.com/Hw02x1BH8E
— nou (@mandhanahive) April 1, 2025
Behan Ke Bhode, this Strategic Time-out is something that could’ve been avoided when a Team needs only one to win.
How pathetic, they’re losing 4 overs due to early finishe so obviously would want to make use of this shite #LSGvPBKS pic.twitter.com/rVZHjyG3ZW
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) April 1, 2025
One run needed to win and there’s a strategic time-out. Now LSG players can strategize how to avoid their owner in team meeting.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 1, 2025
Last week, former England captain Michael Vaughan had also poked fun at the IPL after a similar call from the umpires. Vaughan could not stop himself from taking a dig at the IPL after LSG had to take a time out when they needed only 2 runs from the last 24 balls.
Only in the IPL can you have a strategic time out with 2 needed off 24 balls with 5 wkts remaining .. 😜 #India
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 27, 2025
Also Read: IPL Points Table, Orange Cap, Purple Cap After LSG vs PBKS Match 13- IPL 2025
PBKS thrash LSG in Lucknow
Talking about the game, it was a one-way traffic at the Ekana Stadium as PBKS outplayed LSG. Batting first, LSG were off to a disastrous start and were reeling at 35/3. However, handy knocks from Nicholas Pooran (44), Ayush Badoni (41), and Abdul Samad (27) helped them post a respectable total of 171/7.
In reply, PBKS chased down the total inside 17 overs thanks to half-centuries from Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer. Prabhsimran scored 69 runs off 34 balls while Iyer remained unbeaten on 52. Nehal Wadhera also played an impressive knock of 43 not out.
