LSG vs MI | Hardik’s fifer not enough as disciplined Lucknow thrash Mumbai in their backyard

In response, Mumbai Indians began brightly with the ball, as Akash Deep struck early to dismiss Will Jacks in the second over. Their momentum continued in the very next over, with Shardul Thakur removing Ryan Rickelton to leave Mumbai reeling at 17/2. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir steadied the innings, counter-attacking effectively to take the score to 64/2 by the end of the powerplay. While Suryakumar anchored the chase, it was Dhir who played the aggressor’s role and smashed 40 off just 19 deliveries and brought a vital 50-run stand. At 86/2 after eight overs, Mumbai looked comfortably placed. But Digvesh Singh Rathi had other plans, breaking the partnership by removing Dhir in the ninth over. With 79 runs needed from 42 deliveries, the onus fell on Suryakumar and Tilak Varma to keep the chase alive. The duo rose to the occasion and built a 66-run partnership. Surya brought up a fluent half-century off 31 balls and looked poised to take Mumbai home. However, just when he appeared unstoppable, Avesh Khan delivered a decisive blow and scalped him with the score at 164/4 in the 17th over. With 40 needed off the final three overs, Mumbai’s hopes rested on Pandya and Tilak. The equation was further brought down to 29 required from 12 deliveries, with Shardul Thakur handed the responsibility of bowling the 19th over. Shardul Thakur delivered a superb penultimate over and conceded just seven runs and tightening the screws on Mumbai’s chase. With 22 needed off the final over, Avesh Khan was handed the ball. Hardik Pandya gave Mumbai a glimmer of hope by launching the first delivery for six. With 16 required off five, Avesh responded with a pinpoint yorker, restricting Pandya to just two runs. On the next ball, the Mumbai skipper made a surprising call to turn down a single and kept the strike. With 14 needed off the final two deliveries, the pressure mounted as Pandya was unable to find the boundary. Mumbai Indians ultimately fell short, finishing 12 runs behind in a thrilling contest, as Lucknow Super Giants held their nerve in the death overs.