IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants’ bowlers deliver knock out punch on Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians needed just 29 runs from the final 12 balls with six wickets in hand — a task that looked well within reach. But Lucknow Super Giants’ Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan held their nerve in the death overs, sealing a 12-run victory — their first home win of IPL Season 18 on Friday.

Hardik Pandya’s stunning all-round effort went in vain against a disciplined and determined bowling performance from the hosts.

Chasing 204, Mumbai got off to a stuttering start. Their opening troubles continued, even in the absence of the out-of-form Rohit Sharma, who was rested due to a knee injury. Naman Dhir and Suryakumar Yadav (67) revived the chase with a solid partnership, but the big over they desperately needed never came.

Wickets in the middle overs further dented Mumbai’s momentum. Young leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi impressed again, delivering a tidy spell to hand Mumbai their third loss in four games.

Earlier, half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram powered Lucknow to 203 for 8. Hardik Pandya kept Mumbai in the contest with a brilliant five-wicket haul (5/36), but once again, Lucknow’s bowlers — previously under pressure — stood up when it mattered most. The return of Akashdeep Singh and tighter execution from the rest of the attack helped Lucknow hold firm in the final overs.

Hardik Pandya likes to lead from the front. He’s rarely quiet and is almost always in the thick of the action — and Friday was no different. The Mumbai Indians skipper claimed a five-wicket haul to restrict Lucknow Super Giants to 203 for eight.

Put in to bat, Lucknow got a blazing start from Mitch Marsh, but Mumbai hit back with quick wickets — removing Marsh, the in-form Orange Cap holder Nicholas Pooran, and skipper Rishabh Pant.

Young spinner Vignesh Puthur provided the much-needed breakthrough, dismissing Marsh with a sharp caught-and-bowled for 60. Pandya then stepped in to dismiss both Pooran and Pant — the latter falling to a bit of misfortune as substitute Corbin Bosch held on to a tough chance.

Ayush Badoni then showcased his flair, taking on Mitchell Santner with three consecutive boundaries and adding 51 runs with Aiden Markram, who notched up his first half-century of the season. But Lucknow’s scoring rate dipped after the wickets fell, and they couldn’t capitalise on the early momentum.

Pandya returned to apply the finishing touch, picking up three wickets in his final two overs to end with a five-for.

The target isn’t daunting, and Mumbai will fancy their chances of chasing it down with ease.

After a strong start, Lucknow Super Giants are back in trouble, having lost Mitchell Marsh and the in-form Nicholas Pooran in quick succession.

The Australian all-rounder was on fire early on, pummelling the Mumbai attack during the powerplay and racing to 60 off 31 balls. He and fellow opener took the hosts to 69 for no loss after six overs, with Marsh particularly severe on rookie Ashwani Kumar, taking 23 runs off the sixth over alone.

However, young seamer Vignesh Puthur ended Marsh’s blitz with a sharp caught-and-bowled. Hardik Pandya then removed the dangerous Pooran soon after, swinging the momentum back in Mumbai’s favour.

At the halfway mark, Lucknow are 100 for two after 10 overs.

Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya has won the toss and elected to field at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. In a big blow for Mumbai, Rohit Sharma has been rested due to injury.

“Looks like a fresh wicket, not sure how it will play,” Hardik said at the toss. “Rohit got hit in the knee in the nets, so he misses out this match,” he added, while expressing hope that Jasprit Bumrah will return soon.

Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant said he wants the batters — himself included — to step up and express themselves. The hosts have received a major boost in the bowling department with Akash Deep returning to the side.

Teams

Mumbai Indians

Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (captain), Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Vignesh Puthur. Impact players: Tilak Verma, Corbin Bosch, Robin Minz, Sathyanarayana Raju, Karn Sharma.

Lucknow Super Giants

Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (captain), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi. Impact Players: Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Manimaran Siddarth, Akash Singh.