A Fresh Start Under New Leadership
LSG vs MI: A new captain, a new season, and a packed home stadium. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) had everything going for them in their first home game of IPL 2025, but their heavy loss against Punjab Kings (PBKS) left them disappointed. Their newly-appointed mentor, Zaheer Khan, didn’t hold back in his post-match press conference, expressing frustration over both the team’s performance and the pitch conditions. He even went as far as to suggest that the surface felt like it was prepared by a “Punjab curator.”
LSG, known for its slow pitches and large boundaries, has historically not been a high-scoring venue. In fact, there has been only one total above 200 at this ground since it became an IPL venue. However, LSG’s bigger concern was their playing combination. They opted for a spin-heavy attack, while PBKS successfully leveraged their pace bowlers, bowling 13 overs of pace.
Tactical Adjustments for Mumbai Indians Clash
LSG is expected to make strategic changes for their match against Mumbai Indians (MI), especially since this game will be played on a black-soil pitch that traditionally offers little to spinners. The return of Akash Deep to the squad is a major boost, and the pacer expressed confidence in his match fitness during a pre-game press interaction. Meanwhile, Mayank Yadav is still recovering at BCCI’s newly-built Centre of Excellence and is expected to rejoin soon.
On the other hand, MI will be looking to build on their recent victory. However, their away form remains a concern, with 13 losses in 18 away games since IPL 2023. Playing in Lucknow will be a challenge as the pitch lacks the pace and bounce of Wankhede Stadium.
LSG vs MI: Match Details
- Match: LSG vs MI, Match 16, IPL 2025
- Date & Time: Friday, April 4, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Pitch and Conditions
The black-soil pitch in Lucknow has seen a rise in scores since being relaid ahead of the 2023 World Cup, but it remains a challenging venue for high totals. Five of the last six IPL matches here have been won by teams batting second, although no significant dew is expected on match day.
Large ground dimensions make it difficult for teams to recover after an early collapse, emphasizing the need for solid powerplay performances. LSG struggled with this in their last game and will aim for a better start this time around.
Head-to-Head Record
- LSG: 5 wins
- MI: 1 win
- Last meeting in Lucknow: LSG chased down MI’s 144/7 in the final over.
Team News and Probable XI
Lucknow Super Giants
- Injuries/Availability: Akash Deep has rejoined the squad, while Mayank Yadav continues his recovery at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
- Tactics and Match-ups: LSG’s Avesh Khan has been effective against MI stars Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. If he fails with the new ball, Ravi Bishnoi is expected to step up, having dismissed Rohit Sharma three times in six innings and Suryakumar Yadav three times in seven innings.
- Probable XII: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (WK/C), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav/Akash Deep.
Mumbai Indians
- Injuries/Availability: No reported injuries in the MI camp.
- Tactics and Match-ups: MI will likely attack Rishabh Pant with spin early in the innings. The LSG captain has struggled this season, scoring only 17 runs at a strike rate of 65.38, with just six runs against spin in 13 balls.
- Probable XII: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Will Jacks/Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Vignesh Puthur/Satyanarayana Raju.
Key Stats and Trivia
- Three of the six sub-150 totals defended in the IPL since 2022 have been against LSG.
- Avesh Khan has struggled at this venue, taking just three wickets in five matches at an average of 48.66, a strike rate of 34, and an economy of 8.58.
Quotes from the Camp
Akash Deep (LSG pacer): “I feel the first match is very important for me. I have played one practice match, but after a two to three-month gap, you don’t get the confidence until you play a match.”
Kieron Pollard (MI batting coach): “It’s about adaptability. The nature of the surfaces is something we can’t control, so whatever is presented, world-class players must adapt and perform.”
Squads
Mumbai Indians:
Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Vignesh Puthur, Corbin Bosch, Raj Bawa, Robin Minz, Satyanarayana Raju, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Karn Sharma, Reece Topley, Bevon Jacobs, Krishnan Shrijith, Arjun Tendulkar.
Lucknow Super Giants:
Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (WK/C), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Manimaran Siddharth, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Himmat Singh, Akash Maharaj Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Aryan Juyal, RS Hangargekar, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav, Shamar Joseph, Arshin Kulkarni. Source Cricbuzz
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