Sending Nicholas Pooran to bat at the number three position is probably the best move made by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against the Mumbai Indians (MI) tonight at the Wankhede Stadium. But that move was eclipsed as soon as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton walked towards mid-off in the second innings to chase the huge total.
Pooran not only scored in a passionate moment but also allowed opener Mitchell Marsh to play bravely. With both batsmen in full flow in the middle, the visiting team, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), played the Mumbai Indians bowling line-up. Marsh returned after 44 well-played innings. His 25-ball knock was decorated with four 4s and three 6s.
LSG flew in the first innings of the contest in Mumbai
While Marsh took some time to settle on the track, Nicholas Pooran took off instantly. The Caribbean batsman, who had been struggling with his form before the match, scored 63 for 21, maintaining a strike rate of 300.00, boosted by just one 4 but eight 6s.
Thanks to the partnership of Marsh and Pooran, the Super Giants scored 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 could score three more runs, they would be at the top of the record list, surpassing the Delhi Capitals.
Multiple records were created tonight at the iconic Wankhede Stadium
Highest powerplay totals vs MI in IPL
92/0 by DC, Delhi, 2024
92/0 at SRH, Wankhede, 2026
90/0 for CSK, Wankhede, 2015
90/1 by LSG, Wankhede, 2026*
With the billingarate entries, Nicholas Pooran himself achieved a huge record. He only needed 16 balls to complete the half-century tonight against the Mumbai Indians. Batting first, LSG managed 228 runs in the 20-over limit, in return for just 5 wickets.
Fastest fifty for LSG (by balls):
15 – Nicholas Pooran v RCB, Bengaluru, 2023
16 – Nicholas Pooran v MI, Wankhede, 2026*
18 – Nicholas Pooran v SRH, Hyderabad, 2025
19 – Nicholas Pooran v MI, Wankhede, 2024
20 – Kyle Mayers vs. PBKS, Mohali, 2023
20 – Nicholas Pooran v DC, Delhi, 2024
After the first innings, LSG was clearly in the front seat. The momentum of the game started tilting towards the Mumbai Indians as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton started firing all their guns. With a knock of 83 runs from Rickelton and 84 from Sharma, Mumbai chased down the target of 229 runs with ease, within 19.th over 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 with a couple of wickets. It was 120-odd for one. Everyone had their beliefs and their plans. The way they bowled was commendable.”
“Even though we scored 244 a few days ago, SRH chased it. So we knew it was chaseable. It was incredible batting. It’s important to get off to a good start. They were always in control. The way Naman and all the batsmen were nice,” Suryakumar Yadav, MI’s stand-in captain, said after the match.
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