On April 4, 2025, the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow buzzed with anticipation as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) took on the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 16 of IPL 2025. With both teams featuring marquee names—Rishabh Pant leading LSG and Hardik Pandya captaining MI—this clash promised fireworks. And it delivered, with LSG emerging victorious by 12 runs in a nail-biting finish!
Toss and Early Moves
MI skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to field, banking on the black-soil pitch’s reputation for assisting bowlers later in the game. LSG, batting first, fielded a strong lineup with Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran, while MI countered with Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, and the in-form Suryakumar Yadav. The stage was set for a classic IPL showdown.
LSG’s Batting: Marsh and Markram Shine
LSG got off to a flyer, thanks to Mitchell Marsh’s aggressive 60 off 31 balls. Smashing a massive six off Boult and piling on boundaries, Marsh set the tone early. Aiden Markram played the anchor role with a steady 53 off 38, ensuring stability after Pant’s early struggles continued with another low score. David Miller’s late flourish helped LSG post a formidable 203/8 in their 20 overs. MI’s bowlers, led by Boult and Chahar, kept things tight at times, but the total looked daunting on a pitch expected to slow down.
MI’s Chase: Suryakumar’s Spark, Hardik’s Last Stand
Chasing 204, MI stumbled early. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks fell inside the powerplay, courtesy of Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur’s disciplined bowling. Suryakumar Yadav, however, turned the tide with a brilliant 67 off 43 balls, mixing caution with his trademark flair. Alongside Naman Dhir’s quickfire 46 off 24, MI reached 64/2 by the end of the powerplay, keeping hopes alive.
The game shifted gears when Digvesh Rathi, LSG’s breakout star, dismissed Dhir with a peach of a delivery, ending a dangerous 69-run stand. Rathi’s spell of 1/21 in 4 overs earned him the Player of the Match award, showcasing his knack for breaking partnerships. Suryakumar fell to Avesh Khan, attempting a risky scoop, and Tilak Varma’s painstaking 25 off 23 prompted him to retire out—a bold move that brought Hardik Pandya to the crease.
With 22 needed off the last over, Hardik (28* off 16) smashed a six off Avesh Khan’s first ball, igniting the MI faithful. But Avesh held his nerve, conceding just 9 runs in the over, sealing a 12-run win for LSG. MI finished at 191/5, falling short despite a valiant effort.
Key Moments and Takeaways
- Marsh’s Powerplay Blitz: His 60 set the foundation for LSG’s total, proving his worth as a top-order enforcer.
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Hardik’s Fifer (5/36): A masterclass in pace variation, making him the first IPL captain and first Indian pacer in years to claim five wickets in a match. It wasn’t enough, but it was history.
- Rathi’s Game-Changing Spell: The young spinner’s composure under pressure swung the game LSG’s way.
- Pant and Rohit’s Struggles: Pant’s lean patch continued, and with Rohit Sharma ruled out of the match (reason unspecified in reports), both teams missed their star power.
- Avesh’s Clutch Finish: Defending 21 in the final over, Avesh showed why he’s a vital cog in LSG’s bowling attack.
Standings Impact
LSG climbed to sixth on the points table with their second win in four games, boosting their net run rate. MI, with one win in three, slipped to seventh, their inconsistency a growing concern for Hardik Pandya’s side.
Final Thoughts
This match was a rollercoaster—LSG’s batting depth outshone MI’s chase, but not without tense moments. The Ekana crowd got their money’s worth as LSG maintained their historical edge over MI (now 6-1 in head-to-heads). For MI, it’s back to the drawing board, while LSG will look to build on this momentum. IPL 2025 is heating up, and we can’t wait for the next chapter!
