The Mumbai Indians (MI) are scheduled to play against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 17, 2024, in Match 67 of IPL 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium at 7:30 pm. This match will be the fourteenth and final one of the season for both teams. Friday could be an emotional evening, of reflection and goodbyes. Being the final game of the current three-year auction cycle for MI and LSG (that is, barring an astonishing miracle for LSG), it’s possible a number of players from both sides are playing together for one final time.
But before the farewells, there’s a game to be won and pride to be salvaged. A win for MI could lift them off the bottom of the points table, depending on how Punjab Kings fare in their final game. Meanwhile, LSG could finish as high as sixth, maybe even fifth, if they win big, depending on how Saturday’s heavyweight fixture, RCB vs CSK, pans out.
MI vs LSG Previous Performances
The hosts, who were confirmed to be eliminated just more than a week back courtesy of a belligerent 10-wicket mauling of the visitors, Lucknow Super Giants, will be playing for pride, and would want to end their season on a high after sitting in the bottom-most position on the points table.
Meanwhile, LSG, who lost the plot just when they were sailing towards the playoffs, with three back-to-back losses, have an outside chance mathematically speaking, but it seems almost improbable in reality. Both teams have lost four in their last five and would want to end their respective seasons on a sweet note.
MI vs LSG Head to Head
MI 1 – 4 LSG. Mumbai Indians only win against Lucknow was in the Eliminator at the Chepauk last year. Marcus Stoinis played a big role in LSG’s four-wicket win. He first dismissed Suryakumar Yadav early as MI stumbled on a two-paced Lucknow surface where dew made their 144 appear a lot smaller than it should’ve been. With the bat, he made 45-ball 62 to lay the foundation of a chase they completed with four balls to spare.
| Matches Played | 5 |
| Won by Mumbai Indians | 1 |
| Won by Lucknow Super Giants | 4 |
| No Result | 0 |
MI vs LSG Pitch Report
The six matches that have been played at the Wankhede have produced quite varied results, with three each going in favour of teams batting first and second, respectively. Light showers are forecasted to disrupt the game, and a cross-breeze is also foreboded to transpire during the match, which promises to be a run-fest.
The Wankhede Stadium has seen a substantial dip in first-innings scores in night games this season, down to 174 from a high of 200 just 12 months ago. That said, teams will still want to chase. Mumbai experienced a severe dust storm and thunderstorm earlier in the week, but conditions are expected to remain largely dry on Friday evening. A red-soil surface with even bounce and a smattering of grass across the 22 yards potentially points to a run fest. Dew could make the toss a vital factor
MI vs LSG Big Picture
MI’s backroom has been in constant focus, not least because of the pre-season leadership reshuffle. The two men at the centre of it – Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya – have had challenging seasons. Rohit has managed just 52 runs in his last six innings, with four single-digit scores and a rough 24-ball 19 in his most recent outing at Eden Gardens.
Hardik has had one of his worst seasons with the bat. He’s been unable to score a half-century in 12 innings while his bowling returns have also been largely mixed: 11 wickets at an economy of 10.58. With the T20 World Cup looming, India’s captain and vice-captain will be hoping to put in a compelling performance before they leave for the USA.
MI vs LSG Team news and Impact Player strategy
MI vs LSG In the spotlight
Hardik Pandya, India’s T20 vice-captain, lends the kind of balance not many do. But he’s been in terrible batting form. However, in recent games, he’s shown some spark with the ball. He’s been high on pace, has bowled his full quota of overs in three of the last four games while picking up seven wickets, including a match-winning 3 for 31 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Some runs in a match-winning cause could bring him, and the Indian team management, some much-needed relief.
Nicholas Pooran has proven to be a consistent performer at No. 3 in the T20 circuit over the past two years, having scored eight fifty-plus score in 32 innings. Two nights ago, he struck his second-highest score of this season, a 27-ball 61, in a chase of 209 against DC, largely because he came in to bat in the fourth over after a top-order collapse. There’s been a reluctance to bat him higher up the order. Maybe there’s a case for LSG to reconsider his batting position.
MI vs LSG Vital Stats that matter
- Traditionally, a leg spinner against a left-hand batter isn’t deemed to be a strong match-up. But Ravi Bishnoi has had the better of Ishan Kishan, dismissing him four times while conceding just 30 runs off 32 balls. One reason for this could be Bishnoi using the wrong ‘un as his stock-ball.
- Jasprit Bumrah has mostly been used for one over in the powerplay, but if LSG lose an early wicket, could Hardik give him a second? LSG’s No. 3 Stoinis has been dismissed four times by Bumrah while managing just 54 runs off 55 deliveries.
- MI may be below LSG on the points table, but they have the second-best win percentage at home since IPL 2023, having won eight of their 13 home games. LSG, meanwhile, are one of the few sides with an equally decent home and away record in this period.
- MI’s openers have the second-lowest average (26.2) among all teams this season.
MI vs LSG Probable Playing XIs
Mumbai Indians
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk.), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah, Anshul Kamboj, Nuwan Thushara
Impact Player: Naman Dhir
Lucknow Super Giants
KL Rahul (c & wk.), Quinton de Kock, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Arshad Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yash Thakur
Impact Player : Yudhvir Singh
MI vs LSG Fantasy XI : Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk.), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (c & wk.), Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshad Khan.
Probable Best Players of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Rohit Sharma
With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching and there being only one warm-up game which Team India will play ahead of the marquee event, the match against LSG will be one of the last full-fledged match situations which’ll be encountered by the ex-MI skipper and the captain of the Indian Cricket Team. It seems more than likely for Rohit to go big and make it count.
Probable Best Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah
With 20 wickets in 13 matches, the Indian pace-bowling spearhead has once again had a remarkable tournament, not only in terms of wicket-taking but stifling the flow of runs as well. Bumrah has gone at a scanty 6.48 runs/over the entire tournament and would be geared to add a few more to his tally to enhance his confidence ahead of the showpiece event in June.
MI vs LSG Match Prediction
Scenario 1
Mumbai Indians win the toss and opt to bowl first.
Powerplay: 45-55
Lucknow Super Giants: 155-165
Mumbai Indians win the match.
Scenario 2
Mumbai Indians win the toss and opt to bat first.
Powerplay: 60-70
Mumbai Indians: 200-210
Mumbai Indians win the match.