LUCKNOW – The Lucknow Falcons secured a spot in the next phase of the Uttar Pradesh Premier League (UPL) with a nail-biting 23-run victory over the Gaur Gorakhapur Lions in a high-octane Eliminator at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. In a match that ebbed and flowed, the Falcons’ calculated aggression with the bat and relentless pressure with the ball proved to be the difference-maker. The Lions, despite a valiant fight, ultimately fell short, bringing their UPL 2025 campaign to a close.
Falcons’ Innings: A Tale of Explosive Starts and a Blistering Finish
After winning the toss, Lucknow Falcons’ captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar elected to bat, a decision that was vindicated early on by his team’s aggressive openers. Abhay Pratap Singh and Aaradhya Yadav came out with a clear intent to dominate. Abhay Pratap was particularly destructive, smashing four sixes in his brisk knock of 33 from just 21 balls, providing the much-needed impetus at the top. The Lions’ bowlers struggled to contain the early onslaught, with the Falcons crossing the 50-run mark in just seven overs.
The momentum, however, shifted as the Lions’ bowlers fought back. Abdul Rehman struck a crucial blow by dismissing the dangerous Abhay Pratap Singh. The Lions continued to pick up key wickets, including Sameer Choudhary and Mohammad Saif, who had both looked set to build on their starts. The middle-order collapse threatened to derail the Falcons’ innings, leaving them reeling at a precarious position with the required momentum in doubt.
Just when it seemed the Lions had gained control, a heroic late-innings blitz from Player of the Match, Satyam Pandey, turned the tide. Pandey’s sensational knock of 24 runs from just 12 balls, featuring a flurry of boundaries and three towering sixes, provided the Falcons with a crucial late surge. Supported by Vipraj Nigam’s cameo, Pandey’s assault in the final overs propelled the team to a highly competitive total of 170 for 7. This late flourish added nearly 40 runs in the final three overs, transforming the Falcons from a team in trouble to one with a commanding total to defend.
Lions’ Chase: A Valiant Effort Cut Short
The chase began on the worst possible note for the Gaur Gorakhapur Lions. Facing the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the first over, opener Bhaskar Bhardwaj was dismissed on the very first ball, setting a somber tone for their innings. The early setback put immense pressure on the Lions, but their captain Akshdeep Nath and opener Nishant Kushwaha absorbed the pressure and stitched together a crucial partnership. Kushwaha was particularly impressive, striking three sixes in his 34 off 32 balls, but his dismissal to Akshu Bajwa was a significant turning point.
With the required run rate climbing, all eyes were on Siddarth Yadav, who stepped up to the challenge with a masterclass in controlled aggression. Yadav played the anchor role to perfection, navigating the pressure and keeping his team in the hunt with a magnificent half-century (50 runs off 41 balls). His innings was a blend of elegant fours and a perfectly timed six, showcasing his class under pressure.
However, just as Yadav reached his fifty, the Falcons’ bowlers, led by the brilliant Navneet Kumar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, tightened their grip. In a dramatic final phase, Navneet Kumar picked up three crucial wickets, including the prized scalp of Siddarth Yadav. The quick dismissals of Shivam Sharma and Vasu Vats in the 19th over effectively sealed the game for the Falcons.
The Lions’ tail-enders fought hard, but the ask was too great. The team could only manage 147 for 8 in their 20 overs, falling short by 23 runs. The Falcons’ bowling attack, which had been under pressure in the middle overs, showed exceptional composure and skill in the death overs, defending their total with remarkable precision.
In the end, the Lucknow Falcons’ balanced team effort—from their explosive start and late-innings hitting to their disciplined bowling in the clutch moments—proved to be the decisive factor. For the Gaur Gorakhapur Lions, it was a tale of what might have been, with Siddarth Yadav’s brilliant individual performance not enough to carry his team across the finish line. The win propels the Falcons forward, while the Lions must now regroup and look to come back stronger in the next UPL season.
