Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) returned to winning ways with a thrilling 203-run total and a nail-biting finish against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Friday, despite a stellar all-round performance from Hardik Pandya.
LSG posted a challenging 203/7, thanks to Mitchell Marsh’s blistering 60 and Aiden Markram’s composed 53. The opening partnership between Marsh and Markram set a solid foundation, with Marsh taking full advantage of Mumbai's new-ball attack.
Marsh reached his half-century off just 27 balls, hammering two sixes and nine boundaries, before left-arm wrist spinner Vignesh Puthur dismissed him with a well-disguised wrong’un.
Nicholas Pooran, coming in at No. 3, attacked Mitchell Santner with a six and a four, but Pandya’s clever slower ball bouncer deceived Pooran, sending him back. Rishabh Pant, continuing his poor form, fell for just 2 runs off 6 balls.
Markram then anchored the innings, supported by Ayush Badoni (30 off 19), forming a vital 51-run partnership. Although Markram was dismissed by Pandya in the 18th over, David Miller provided a late flurry with 27 off just 13 balls, propelling LSG to a competitive total of 203.
In response, Mumbai Indians faced early setbacks. Without regular captain Rohit Sharma, their makeshift opening pair of Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks failed to make an impact.
Naman Dhir provided hope with a quick-fire 46 off 24 balls, but mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi turned the tide, dismissing Naman and conceding just 11 runs in his first three overs.
Suryakumar Yadav’s 67 off 43 balls kept MI in the hunt, but they needed 29 runs from the final two overs. Shardul Thakur then bowled a brilliant penultimate over, leaving MI with 22 runs to get in the last six balls.
Avesh Khan sealed the match for LSG with a tight final over, restricting MI to just 9 runs. Pandya started with a six, but Avesh executed perfect yorkers to dismiss both Hardik and Mitchell Santner, ensuring LSG successfully defended their total.
Despite Pandya’s impressive all-round performance, LSG’s disciplined death bowling and steady batting handed Mumbai Indians their third loss in four matches.
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