Lockie Ferguson’s Injury Mars Punjab Kings’ Loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in High-Scoring Thriller
The Punjab Kings suffered a major blow during their high-scoring encounter against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday as New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson sustained an injury just two balls into his second innings spell. While attempting to deliver his second ball of the sixth over, Ferguson clutched the side of his left leg, just below the hip, and after a brief consultation with the team physio, was forced to leave the field. He did not return for the remainder of the match. This unfortunate incident significantly impacted the Kings’ bowling attack as they attempted to defend a challenging 246-run target. The Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully chased down the total, achieving the second-highest successful run chase in IPL history with eight wickets in hand.
Ferguson’s injury left the Punjab Kings with a depleted bowling attack, forcing them to rotate through eight different bowlers, including part-timer Shashank Singh, who bowled for the first time this season. Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis completed Ferguson’s over but surprisingly did not bowl again in the innings. The absence of a reliable overseas fast bowler significantly hampered the Kings’ ability to contain the Sunrisers’ aggressive batting lineup.
Following the match, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the detrimental impact of Ferguson’s injury. “He’s someone who can get you wickets, as he’s done in previous matches — that was a big blow for us,” Iyer stated. “But it happens. He’s someone who clicks 140-plus all the time. It’s part and parcel of a bowler’s life, but you know I don’t want to give any reasons.” The loss of Ferguson’s pace and wicket-taking ability undoubtedly shifted the momentum in favor of the Sunrisers.
This latest setback for Ferguson comes shortly after his return from a hamstring injury sustained during the ILT20 in the UAE earlier this year, an injury that also ruled him out of the Champions Trophy in February. This marks his third injury since November 2024, having previously suffered a calf injury that sidelined him from New Zealand’s ODI series against Sri Lanka. The timing of this injury is particularly unfortunate for the Punjab Kings, who had already utilized their Impact Player substitution, bringing in fast bowler Yash Thakur for batter Priyansh Arya. This left them without an overseas pace option for the majority of the second innings. Ferguson is one of only two overseas fast bowlers in the PBKS squad this season, the other being Australia’s Xavier Bartlett.
Prior to this match, Ferguson had displayed promising form, taking five wickets in three games for the Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, maintaining an economy rate of 9.36 and an impressive strike rate of 13.20. His fitness will be a major concern for the team as the IPL season progresses into its crucial stages. The Punjab Kings will undoubtedly be hoping for a swift recovery for their key fast bowler.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their impressive chase and will look to carry this momentum forward in the tournament. Their victory against the Punjab Kings serves as a testament to their batting depth and resilience. This match provided a thrilling display of attacking cricket and underscored the importance of a balanced and robust bowling attack in the high-pressure environment of the IPL.
