Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured a vital victory by four wickets against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 48th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
LSG won the toss and elected to field first. Given the slow pitch and sluggish outfield, strokeplay was a challenge and Lucknow’s new-ball bowlers capitalized on these conditions, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav cheaply. Rohit, in particular, continued his struggles against left-arm pace, falling for the fifth time in IPL 2024. Mumbai slumped further as they lost Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya off consecutive deliveries, ending the powerplay at a precarious 28/4.
Ishan Kishan (32 off 26) and Nehal Wadhera (46 off 41) attempted to rebuild the innings with a crucial fifty-run partnership. Tim David provided a late surge with an unbeaten 35 off just 18 deliveries, propelling the visitors to a modest total of 144 runs. Lucknow’s bowling attack was disciplined and economical, with Mohsin Khan taking two wickets. Marcus Stoinis, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Chasing a below-par total, Mumbai needed early breakthroughs. Nuwan Thushara obliged by dismissing debutant Arshin Kulkarni in the first over. However, KL Rahul and Stoinis counter-attacked effectively, stitching together a fifty-run stand. Pandya provided the visitors with a glimmer of hope by removing Rahul for 28.
The Aussie allrounder continued to anchor the Lucknow innings, building another crucial partnership of 40 runs with Deepak Hooda. Pandya struck again, dismissing Hooda for 18. Stoinis, unfazed, reached his well-deserved half-century before eventually falling to Mohammad Nabi.
The five-time IPL champions fought valiantly until the final over, but Lucknow secured victory despite losing a few late wickets. Nicholas Pooran (14*) held his nerve to see LSG in a tense finish.
Marcus Stoinis was adjudged Man of the Match for his all-round performance, contributing with a catch, a wicket for 19 runs, and a crucial 62 runs off 45 balls.
This defeat leaves Mumbai’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Even if they win all their remaining matches, their qualification for the top four appears highly unlikely. Conversely, Lucknow’s victory strengthens their position, propelling them to the third spot on the IPL 2024 points table.
Scorecard:
Mumbai Indians: 144-7, Overs 20, Nehal Wadhera 46, Mohsin Khan 2/36
Lucknow Super Giants: 145-6, Overs 19.2, Marcus Stoinis 62, Hardik Pandya 2/26