Lockie Ferguson Injured Again, Punjab Kings Struggle Against Sunrisers Hyderabad

HYDERABAD, India — In a distressing turn of events for the Punjab Kings (PBKS), fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was forced to exit the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad due to a hip injury just two deliveries into his sixth over on April 12, 2025.

Ferguson, who had recently recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during the ILT20 in the UAE, faced yet another setback. He had to leave the field after a brief consultation with the team physio, marking the third injury incident for him since November 2024. Prior to the hamstring issue, he also suffered a calf injury that sidelined him for the ODIs against Sri Lanka last year.

The injury came at a crucial point in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match, where PBKS was defending a hefty total of 245. With Ferguson out, PBKS had to rely on an emergency substitute as they were left short of overseas fast bowlers, having only him and Xavier Bartlett on the squad this season.

Before his unfortunate departure, Ferguson had managed to take five wickets in three innings this IPL season while maintaining an economy rate of 9.36 and a strike rate of 13.20. He had stepped onto the field confidently but looked visibly in discomfort after his second delivery.

As for the match itself, the PBKS batters, led by skipper Shreyas Iyer, put up an impressive performance, scoring 245 for six. Iyer spearheaded the attack with a powerful 82 runs off just 36 balls, including six sixes and as many fours. The duo of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh provided a solid opening partnership, configuring a critical 66-run stand. Arya scored 36, while Singh contributed 42.

Despite the robust efforts from PBKS, their opponents were not to be underestimated. Sunrisers Hyderabad, chasing a daunting target, saw Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma create a formidable partnership of 171 runs in only 12.2 overs. As the match progressed, Henrich Klassen joined Sharma on the run-chase, leaving Hyderabad needing 74 runs off 45 balls.

The ramifications of Ferguson’s injury may impact PBKS’s strategy moving forward, affecting their bowling lineup significantly as injuries continue to plague the squad.