IPL2025: Hardik’s Five-5 wkt Haul in vain as Mumbai Indians fall short to LSG , Rathi , Marsh shines

 

Despite a brilliant five-wicket haul with the ball and a valiant effort with the bat, Hardik Pandya couldn’t save Mumbai Indians from another defeat. On Friday, MI suffered a 12-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium. Batting first, LSG posted a challenging 203/8, and in response, Mumbai could only manage 191/5.

While Lucknow walked away with the win, they were left with concerns about Rishabh Pant’s form. The ₹27 crore star could only manage 2 runs on the day.

Chasing a 200+ total at Ekana was never going to be easy, and Mumbai’s start didn’t help. With Rohit Sharma sidelined due to injury, Will Jacks opened alongside Ryan Rickelton. But debutant Akash Deep dismissed Jacks in the very first over, and Shardul Thakur sent Rickelton packing in the next.

Mumbai desperately needed a partnership to stabilize the innings, which came through Naman Dhir and Suryakumar Yadav. Typically a No. 3, Tilak Varma was pushed down the order as Mumbai gambled by promoting Naman — a move that briefly paid off. Naman’s aggressive batting disrupted LSG’s bowling rhythm as he scored at a brisk pace. However, his innings ended at 46 when Digvijay Rathi dismissed him. Despite being penalized in the previous game, Rathi celebrated with his trademark “notebook celebration” once again.

After Naman’s departure, Suryakumar started to open up while Tilak, coming in at No. 5, played cautiously. Batting became increasingly difficult as the innings progressed, making it hard to hit big shots. With the required run rate climbing, Surya attempted to accelerate but was caught trying to loft a wide delivery from Avesh Khan over fine leg — a shot that appeared unnecessary in hindsight.

Tilak, struggling for timing and rhythm, eventually decided to retire himself out in the 19th over — a move that raised eyebrows. Mitchell Santner, who came in as his replacement, barely got a chance to make an impact.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being put in to bat, Lucknow’s innings was anchored by a blistering knock from Mitchell Marsh. The Aussie all-rounder, who had already scored two fifties this season, bounced back from a rare failure in the previous match with another half-century. He scored 60 off just 31 balls, laced with nine fours and two sixes, before falling to spinner Bignesh Puthur — who was brought in after the pacers failed to make an impact.

While Marsh attacked from one end, Aiden Markram played the supporting role. Marsh reached his fifty off just 27 balls and took 23 runs off one over from Ashwini Kumar, one of IPL’s emerging talents. LSG raced to 69 without loss in the Powerplay.

Once Marsh departed, Markram took over. Having struggled in the previous three games, he finally looked back in touch, much like his days with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Nicholas Pooran chipped in with a promising start — hitting a four and a six — but couldn’t convert it into a big score, departing for 12.

Rishabh Pant’s brief stay at the crease lasted only six balls for two runs. He looked far from comfortable and cautious throughout. He edged a delivery from Hardik that was brilliantly caught by substitute fielder Corbin Bosch.

Markram too departed after a composed 53. While the openers set a solid foundation, the middle order couldn’t fully capitalize. Ayush Badoni (30) tried to push the score, while David Miller added 27. In the final over, Hardik Pandya took two more wickets to complete his five-wicket haul, finishing with impressive figures of 5 for 36 in 4 overs.

Despite Pandya’s efforts, Mumbai’s chase ran out of steam, leaving them with yet another loss in a disappointing campaign.