source : BCCI
In an exciting IPL 2025 showdown between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI), LSG held their nerve to secure a 12-run victory and register their second win of the season. Batting first, LSG posted a solid 203/8, built on fluent fifties from Mitchell Marsh (60 off 31) and Aiden Markram (53 off 34). MI, despite a valiant chase spearheaded by Suryakumar Yadav’s 67 and a late push from Hardik Pandya, could only manage 191/5. It was yet another LSG-MI classic, with Lucknow now having won six out of their seven meetings against the five-time champions.
The chase saw MI recover from early stumbles, as Suryakumar and young Naman Dhir counterattacked with style. Dhir blazed to 46 off just 21 balls before being bowled by Digvesh Rathi’s clever carrom ball, while Suryakumar continued to keep MI in the hunt with his signature finesse. Despite having set batters and a manageable equation in the death overs, LSG’s disciplined bowling at the end, especially by Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur, proved decisive. Avesh removed Suryakumar in the 17th over, and MI’s hopes faded despite Hardik’s efforts and the tactical retiring out of Tilak Varma for Mitchell Santner.
Earlier in the evening, Marsh and Markram gave LSG the ideal start after being put in to bat. Marsh, dropped early, made full use of the reprieve by smashing nine boundaries and two sixes, setting the tone during the powerplay. Markram provided stability through the middle, while Ayush Badoni chipped in with a quick 30 to keep the innings moving. Despite Hardik Pandya’s brilliant bowling figures of 5/36, which included late wickets and a crucial middle-over spell, LSG managed to breach the 200-run mark.
Hardik Pandya shone with both bat and ball, reminding fans of his all-round brilliance. After dismissing key batters like Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant—who continues to underwhelm despite his record price tag—Hardik struck a few big blows with the bat too. His unbeaten 28 off 16 nearly pulled off a comeback, but he ran out of support. In Bumrah’s absence, he also bowled two crucial overs at the death, showcasing versatility and leadership, but MI’s inability to contain LSG earlier and close out the chase cost them the game.
Ultimately, LSG’s combination of aggressive top-order batting and clutch death bowling proved just enough to edge past MI in a high-scoring thriller. With Hardik’s five-wicket haul going in vain, Mumbai will be ruing missed chances and a middle-over slowdown. As for Lucknow, they’ll be thrilled with the form of their overseas stars and the emergence of Rathi as a key spinner. With this win, they’ll look to build momentum, while MI needs to regroup quickly to avoid falling behind in the points table.
