Hardik Pandya achieved his first five-wicket haul in T20 cricket and contributed an impressive 28 runs off 16 balls. However, he was unable to avert the Mumbai Indians’ third defeat in four matches. They faced a determined Lucknow Super Giants team, which relied on the strong performances of Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram to reach a total of 203. The Super Giants successfully defended this score by 12 runs, largely due to an outstanding bowling performance from 25-year-old Digvesh Rathi, who recorded figures of 1 for 21.
Marsh and Markram's batting sensation
Mitchell Marsh was nearly dismissed for a mere 4 runs, and Trent Boult could have added another first-over wicket to his record. However, the Mumbai Indians made a significant error by failing to appeal for a clear edge. This mistake proved to be detrimental. The Australian powerhouse, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Bison’, unleashed a fierce assault on MI’s bowlers with remarkable power and precision. Marsh struck nine boundaries and two massive sixes, driving the ball straight and through the line with disdain, despite the swing and inconsistent bounce offered by the pitch. He faced 30 deliveries during the PowerPlay—the highest number by any batter in IPL history for that phase—and made the most of each ball, scoring 60 runs in a breathtaking display.
Marsh was dismissed on the very first ball he faced after the PowerPlay, chipping a return catch to Vignesh Puthur. This dismissal opened the door for the Mumbai Indians to mount a comeback, and captain Hardik Pandya capitalized on the opportunity. He delivered a sharp short ball that dismissed the dangerous Nicholas Pooran for just 12 runs. Pandya continued his impressive performance by extending Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025, as the LSG captain misjudged a short ball that held up on the pitch, resulting in a simple catch to mid-off. In a span of just 24 balls, LSG lost three crucial wickets for 38 runs, leaving them in a precarious position. At this juncture, Markram stepped in to stabilize the innings with poise and control. He found a reliable partner in Ayush Badoni, and together they forged a vital 51-run partnership off just 31 deliveries, steering the LSG innings back on track.
Markram reached a half-century off 34 balls, but LSG’s quest for late runs was curtailed by Pandya’s continued brilliance. The MI captain effectively utilized his cutters into the wicket, compelling LSG’s batters to target the longer boundaries. Three such deliveries led to the dismissals of Markram, David Miller, and Akash Deep, allowing Pandya to achieve his first T20 five-wicket haul. Nevertheless, LSG managed to accumulate valuable runs in between those wickets, particularly from Miller, who hit three fours and a six in his quickfire 27 off 14 balls, propelling LSG to a total of 203.
Mumbai Indians lose in a very close thriller
Mumbai Indians faced an early setback as they lost both openers quickly; however, Naman Dhir’s explosive innings revitalized their chase. Akash Deep, making his return, had an immediate effect by dismissing Will Jacks in his first over, as the English batsman misjudged a pull shot that was caught at deep square. Shardul Thakur followed suit, removing Ryan Rickelton in a similar manner. Stepping up to bat at No. 3, Dhir responded aggressively, launching an assault on Deep in the fourth over, scoring 21 runs that included two sixes and two fours—an over that shifted the momentum of the PowerPlay back in favor of MI. Suryakumar Yadav, settling in, contributed with a six as Mumbai raced to 64 for 2 after six overs, with Dhir scoring a rapid 35 off just 15 deliveries.
MI advanced to 86 for 2 in merely eight overs before Digvesh Rathi halted their momentum with a vital wicket. His carrom ball slipped through Dhir’s defenses, resulting in a faint inside edge that struck the stumps, concluding Dhir’s impressive innings of 46 runs off 24 balls. The partnership of 69 runs for the third wicket had established a solid foundation, but Rathi’s disciplined bowling began to slow the scoring. The young spinner was particularly effective, allowing only 10 runs in his first three overs. Tilak Varma found it especially challenging to settle against him, struggling to establish his rhythm. Nevertheless, Suryakumar Yadav kept the runs flowing, consistently finding boundaries to maintain the chase. By the end of the 13th over, MI required 79 runs from 42 balls, with the match finely balanced. The India T20I captain reached his half-century in 31 balls, hitting a boundary off Ravi Bishnoi followed by another off Akash Deep, reducing the target to 61 runs from 30 balls.
LSG had an opportunity to disrupt the partnership, but Avesh Khan and Akash Deep missed a chance for a run-out. However, Avesh redeemed himself by dismissing Suryakumar, who scored 67 runs off 42 balls, after the batter attempted to lap a delivery but hit it too square, resulting in a catch at deep square-leg. This brought Hardik Pandya to the crease, who promptly drove the first ball, a full toss, for four runs. Despite this, LSG maintained their momentum with strong overs, as Rathi delivered an impressive 18th over, followed by Shardul Thakur, who allowed only seven runs in the penultimate over after MI opted to substitute Varma. In the final over, Avesh Khan was tasked with defending 22 runs. He began under pressure, conceding a six on the first ball, but remained composed and executed his yorkers effectively, ultimately securing a thrilling victory and marking LSG’s second win of the season.
SCORECARD: Lucknow Super Giants 203/8 in 20 overs (Mitchell Marsh 60, Aiden Markram 53; Hardik Pandya 5-36) beat Mumbai Indians 191/5 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 67, Naman Dhir 46; Digvesh Rathi 1-21) by 12 runs
