Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) outclassed Mumbai Indians (MI) in a nerve-wrecking thriller. LSG won the match by a mere margin of 12 runs and continued their dominance over MI in head-to-head rivalry, with LSG now winning 6 matches out of 7. Avesh Khan & Shardul Thakur turned into yorker bowling machines in the last 2 overs against MI and didn’t give any major freebies.
MI would be in a state of shock as on 31st March, they had dismantled KKR, and there were high hopes from Hardik Pandya’s brigade. It won’t be wrong to say that the absence of Rohit Sharma (*injured) in the playing 11 & in the substitute list had somewhat effect on MI. Many would argue that Rohit hasn’t been in great touch but his presence can also be threatening.
Mitchell Marsh & Aiden Markram thrash MI bowlers
Mitchell Marsh continued his purple patch in IPL 2025. Mitchell Marsh completed his half century in the power-play overs itself as Aiden Markram was quite happy to see Marsh’s onslaught from the non-striker’s end. LSG got off to a flyer with 69 runs in the first 6 overs as Marsh didn’t show mercy towards any bowler
The introduction of Vignesh Puthur changed the complexion of the match in 7th over as a leading edge got the better of Mitchell Marsh. Marsh was back in dugout after scoring 60 runs in 31 balls with smashing 9 fours and 2 sixes. The flamboyant batter now has struck 3 half centuries out of 4 matches.
Nicholas Pooran was outfoxed by Hardik Pandya in the 9th over as he couldn’t read a bumper delivery and mistimed the pull shot and was out at fine leg. Pooran scored 12 runs in 6 balls. Rishabh Pant’s struggles continued in the tournament with yet another single digit score. Perhaps, the burden of captaincy is affecting his attacking brand of cricket.
Aiden Markram reminded the world cricket that he also can be the aggressor. DC was in a spot of bother at 107-3 in 10.4 overs as the surface was a bit sluggish. Aiden Markram along with Ayush Badoni applied counter-attacking approach and made sure that they hit an odd boundary every another over. The duo were involved in a quick & sturdy partnership of 51 runs in 31 balls.
Hardik Pandya used his variations quite next to perfection. David Miller played a handy cameo of 27 runs in 14 balls and Ayush Badoni struck 30 runs in 19 balls. In the last 5 overs, LSG added 57 runs & lost 5 wickets. Hardik Pandya was the lightning spark for MI, who took his maiden 5-wicket haul and conceded only 36 runs in his 4-over spell
Shardul Thakur & co show nerves of steel to outfox MI batters
Will Jacks opened the innings in the place of Rohit Sharma and filling Rohit’s shoes even on an interim basis, wasn’t even for an Englishman. Will Jacks was dismissed cheaply by Akash Deep & Ryan Rickelton’s ultra-attacking batting style wasn’t successful. While chasing 204, MI got a minor setback with 17-2 in 2.2 overs.
Naman Dhir, along with Suryakumar Yadav, got their eye in. There wasn’t any significant dew for the team batting second. MI, though had an outstanding powerplay with 64 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. There was clean striking done, especially by Naman Dhir, whose hand & eye coordination was a treat to watch.
Naman Dhir, though, was castled by Digvesh Rathi in the 9th over who again gave a controversial send-off even after getting a warning from BCCI afterthe PBKS match. Suryakumar Yadav, along with Tilak Varma, had a bit arduous task of winning the match with MI needing 118 runs from 11.5 overs.
Tilak Varma, who came in the batting unit as an impact player sub subbing Vignesh Puthur, looked awful. At the end of 16 overs, MI’s score was 152-3 and needed another 52 runs. Suryakumar Yadav’s signature shot on bowling of Avesh Khan proved to be the turning point. Suryakumar Yadav gave a catch to deep square leg fielder Abdul Samad.
Suryakumar Yadav’s spectacular knock of 67 runs in 43 balls (*9 fours and 1 six) perhaps left a bit too many for MI batters. In the last 2 overs, MI needed 29 runs to win. Shardul Thakur bowled pinpoint yorkers, and MI management had to force Tilak Varma to declare him retired out and bring Santner to face the last ball of the 19th over. Shardul conceded only 7 runs in 1the 9th over and needed 22 runs to win & Avesh defended quite easily.
Tilak Varma’s knock of 25 runs in 23 balls was quite astounding given his recent exploits in T20 & International cricket. Hardik Pandya fought a lone battle with an unbeaten knock of 28 runs in 16 balls. Questions would arise over MI’s coaching staff, and we should not forget that Suryakumar Yadav has batted at No.3 career-wise in his IPL career for the MI team.
What lies ahead for LSG & MI
LSG skipper Rishabh Pant should be praised for his captaincy whose field placements were spot on. The decision to bring in Digvesh Rathi in 18th over proved to be the critical turning point of the match. Digvesh quickly wrapped up his over and gave only 11 runs and had a remarkable outing with 1 wicket and gave away only 21 runs in 4 over spell. LSG’s next encounter is against KKR on 8th April at Kolkata which is a day game and we can expect a high scoring game. LSG now have won 2 games & lost 2 matches and are placed at 6th position.
MI on the other side would be in a state of shock. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene & skipper Hardik Pandya would be wondering how they made a mess of the game which they should have won earlier. MI now is placed at 7th position on points table with 3 defeats in 4 matches and a solitary win. MI’s next match is against RCB on 7th April at Mumbai.
Also Read: LSG vs MI: 3 Reasons For MI’s Astonishing Defeat Against LSG