In an electrifying IPL 2025 clash at the Ekana Stadium, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) outclassed the Mumbai Indians (MI) by 12 runs in a last-over thriller. Despite Hardik Pandya’s record-breaking five-wicket haul and a spirited batting effort, MI fell just short of the 204-run target, ending their innings at 191 for 5.
LSG’s Mitchell Marsh set the stage on fire with a blistering 60 off just 31 balls, leading the charge alongside Aiden Markram, who scored a steady 53. The pair powered LSG to a strong start, putting up 69 runs in the powerplay. However, just when it seemed LSG would cruise past 220, Pandya stepped up, tearing through the lineup with his sensational bowling spell of 5/36. He made history as the first IPL captain to take a five-wicket haul, but his heroics couldn’t stop LSG from posting 203 for 8.
In reply, MI’s chase faltered early, with both openers falling cheaply. Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir tried to resurrect the innings, but Digvesh Singh Rathi broke the 69-run partnership at a crucial juncture. Even as Suryakumar completed his half-century, MI struggled to keep up with the climbing run rate. Shardul Thakur’s masterful 19th over, giving away just seven runs, tilted the momentum towards LSG.
Needing 22 from the final over, Pandya smashed a six but couldn’t find the boundaries required in the end, as Avesh Khan’s accurate bowling sealed MI’s fate. Pandya’s all-round brilliance went in vain as LSG celebrated a hard-fought victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
