IPL 2025: Varun Aaron labels Eshan Malinga's second spell against LSG as 'critical' in limiting first innings total

Former Indian cricketer, Varun Aaron, spoke highly of Eshan Malinga's bowling performance in Match 61 of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League between Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium. Eshan ended up with figures of 2/28 in his four-over quota, that too after conceding 12 in his first over.

Aaron felt the three overs in which Malinga scalped Rishabh Pant and Ayush Badoni while conceding only 16 runs was the primary reason behind the hosts being 'at least 20-30 runs short'.

“Started off with Pant’s wicket - really good catch. He had already taken a sharp one earlier at short third man, so his confidence was high. Pant didn’t connect well, and Malinga made no mistake. Then he got Badoni too - Badoni should’ve hung in and taken the game deep. But he pulled the trigger early and mistimed it. That spell was critical. Without those two wickets, Lucknow would’ve scored 220–230 easily. In the end, they were at least 20-30 runs short,” he added.

Playing in just his fifth IPL game, the Sri Lankan pacer was the most economical bowler across both sides in addition to registering his best figures in the maarquee tournament so far. Eshan bowled a total of 10 dot balls yesterday. He was acquired by the Pat Cummins-led side for INR 1.20 crore. This is his first IPL season.

Speaking of the game, SRH won it by six wickets and 10 deliveries to spare. After restricting LSG to 205/7, SRH began their chase with a bang. Abhishek Sharma top-scored for the Orange Army by racking up a blistering 20-ball 59. Heinrich Klaasen (47 off 28) and Kamindu Mendis (32 off 21) put on a 55-run stand for the fourth wicket to make full use of the platform set by Abhishek.

Abhishek was awarded the Player of the Match accolade for his knock. SRH nothced up their fourth win of the tournament, in what has in largely been a campaign to forget for last season's runners-up. Their last couple of league games are against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders.