Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) simply cannot buy a win at this stage. After starting decently in IPL 2026, they have suffered their 6th consecutive loss. Even a break of 7-8 days did not do any good to them. Yes, there were positives and they performed better than previous games. Still, it was not good enough to get a win against fellow strugglers MI who showed their brilliance under Suryakumar Yadav to win and keep their very slim playoff hopes alive. There were moments LSG fell short and we will point it out for you.
Losing momentum post the power play stalled LSG’s progressÂ
LSG were inserted into bat first by MI captain Suryakumar Yadav. The Super Giants came out all guns blazing with Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis opening for them. The opening duo added 29 runs in 2.3 overs before Inglis fell early. Thereafter, Marsh and Nicholas Pooran tore MI’s bowling apart in the power play as they amassed 60 runs in the back 3 overs of power play as LSG raced to 90/1 in 6 overs and in pole position to get maybe 250 from that position.
It was the middle phase from which MI started their fightback. The duo added more runs and took the score to 123 in 8 overs before Pooran fell for a blistering knock of 63 runs. MI then got wickets at regular intervals with Mitchell Marsh also falling for 44 runs. Rishabh Pant also got a bit of a start before falling and Raghuwanshi too fell as LSG suffered a mini collapse to be 160/5 in 12.1 overs.
Aiden Markram and Himmat Singh got together and stitched an unbeaten partnership. But it was quite odd, since there was no intent or lack of aggression from both the batters out there. Yes, MI bowled brilliantly in the back half of the innings, but LSG’s momentum was lost as the batters did not bat well at all. They scored at run a ball or just above and where a score could have been over 250 was finished at 228/5. Yes, it is a good score but some runs were left in the field.
LSG needs to be more clinical with their approach and must drive home the advantage if they are in this position in the future. It’s important to keep the opponents on the mat and not allow them a sniff. Here, the LSG bowlers allowed the MI bowlers a sniff to come back and restrict it to 228/5 and now had to bowl well to win it.
Inability to break Ryan Rickelton-Rohit Sharma partnership quickly seals the fate of the game
Despite a great pull back by the Mumbai Indians, LSG managed to score 228/5 on the board. It is a good score on this pitch something that can be defendable provided one bowls well and gets early wickets. LSG with a good bowling line-up would have expected the same, but they were in for tough times and harsh treatment by the dynamic opening duo who notched up their 3rd century stand together.
Both Rickelton and Rohit started from the word go with the southpaw from South Africa being the aggressive partner while Rohit for the initial overs took his time to settle in. But once Rohit was in, he went berserk as there was practically attack from both ends. Avesh Khan came inside the power play and was given belt treatment by Rohit who broke his shackles then. The duo managed to score 71/0 in power play of 6 overs which was actually 19 under par to where LSG were at the same stage.
It is the middle overs that made the difference. LSG decelerated in this phase and lost a flurry of wickets while MI did not lose too many wickets at clusters. The duo carried on post power play and did not let the intensity drop. The duo added 143 runs in 65 balls for the first wicket. So, after power play, MI scored 72 runs in 4.5 overs i.e. in 29 balls. The game was sealed and set up in this phase only as now a miracle could have saved Lucknow, which never happened.
Lucknow needs to improve their bowling especially the incisiveness to come back stronger in the remaining games. Their qualification scenario is dim for both teams, but it’s about getting wins as a team and end the season on a high. The bowling to a degree let the team down a little bit.
Questionable Strategic calls by management raises eyebrows
In yesterday’s game, there was a lot of decisions that were taken which baffled some and it raises a question not only on Pant but also the coaching staff. For instance, LSG played all batters as foreigners and relied on the Indian bowling only. Marsh, Inglis, Pooran, and Markram all played and it was an Indian bowling unit which got exposed later on. The LSG team could have dropped Pooran, although he did well last night. But they decided to drop Ayush Badoni after changing his position often.
There was no Ayush Badoni who did well for them and got promoted to open and then back down the order again. Mukul Choudhary last match’s hero against KKR in Kolkata was dropped as well. They brough it Raghuwanshi among other changes. The opening combination was again changed as Marsh opened the batting with Inglis this time while Markram was shifted down the order. Too much of chopping and changing and lack of role clarity affecting LSG.
Another aspect to look at is Pant’s captaincy. Is he the right guy to lead a franchise like LSG? Because he too was making mistakes on the field. Prince Yadav was LSG’s best bowler in terms of economy rate, but he was saved till the end for his final over and that never came as MI chased the target down inside 19 overs. Prince should have been utilised better one feels. The team is unsure of playing XI every single game and it has led to instability in the team.
Time is running out for LSG. They with this loss can get to only a maximum of 14 points like MI. The tournament is as good as over, now they need to win and salvage something from this tournament. But LSG does not look like winning a game at this stage of the game.
What Lies Ahead
So, LSG will return back home at the Ekana where they will host RCB next in the coming week on Thursday night. MI will travel to Raipur next to face RCB on May 10th evening which is a Sunday clash. Tonight, we have a mid-table clash as DC hosts CSK in New Delhi. CSK are in 6th place with 8 points from 9 games same as DC with CSK ahead on NRR. DC are in 7th place.
Huge two points up for grabs. The loser will be all but out of the playoffs race. Let’s see how this game pans out in the evening.
Also Read:Â MI vs LSG: Rohit Sharma & Ryan Rickelton Hammers LSG