Sending Nicholas Pooran to bat at number three is probably the best move made by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium tonight. But the move fizzled out as soon as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton came in to chase a huge score in the second innings.
Puran not only scored runs aggressively, but also gave opening batsman Mitchell Marsh a chance to play fearlessly. With both full-flowing batsmen in the middle, the away team, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) toyed with the bowling line-up of Mumbai Indians. Marsh returned after playing a good inning of 44 runs. There were four fours and three sixes in his 25-ball innings.
LSG was flying the flag in the first innings of the match in Mumbai.
While Marsh took some time to settle down on the track, Nicholas Pooran hit the field immediately. The Caribbean batsman, who was struggling with his form before the match, scored 63 off 21, maintaining a strike rate of 300.00, which included only one 4 but eight sixes.
Marsh and Pooran’s partnership helped the Super Giants score 90 runs in the powerplay, which is one of the best in the history of the Indian Premier League against Suryakumar Yadav’s team, and that too at the Wankhede Stadium. If they are successful in scoring three more runs, they will overtake Delhi Capitals and top the record list.
Many records have been created tonight at the iconic Wankhede Stadium
Highest powerplay totals vs MI in IPL
92/0, 2024 by DC, Delhi
SRH 92/0, Wankhede, 2026
90/0 by CSK, Wankhede, 2015
90/1 by LSG, Wankhede, 2026*
With Billingrate’s innings, Nicholas Puran made a big record in his name. He needed only 16 balls to complete his half-century against Mumbai Indians tonight. Batting first, LSG got 228 runs for only 5 wickets in their limited 20 overs.
Fastest fifties for LSG (by balls):
15 – Nicholas Pooran vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2023
16 – Nicholas Pooran vs MI, Wankhede, 2026*
18 – Nicholas Pooran vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2025
19 – Nicholas Pooran vs MI, Wankhede, 2024
20 – Kyle Mayers vs PBKS, Mohali, 2023
20 – Nicholas Pooran vs DC, Delhi, 2024
After the first innings, LSG were clearly in the front seat. The momentum of the game started swinging towards Mumbai Indians as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton started giving their all. With the help of Rickelton’s 83 runs and Sharma’s 84 runs, Mumbai easily achieved the target of 229 runs in 19 overs.th over of the second innings, and won the match by 6 wickets.
We knew we could control the game: Suryakumar Yadav
“It was nothing new. We knew we could control the game by taking some wickets. It was 120 runs for one wicket. Everyone had their own belief and their own plans. The way they bowled was commendable.”
“Even though we scored 244 a few days ago, SRH chased it down. So we knew it could be chased. It was incredible batting. It’s important to start well. They were always in control. Well, Naman and everyone batted well,” MI stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav said after the match.
Read more: “We should have scored more runs”: Rishabh Pant blames batsmen for defeat against Mumbai Indians
