Mumbai Indians (MI) will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium in Match 45 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Sunday, April 27.
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Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants: Preview
Where you are right now matters less than the direction you’re heading — a truth that resonates across life and in IPL 2025. As the tournament crosses its halfway mark, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) find themselves at a similar point in the standings but moving on very different trajectories.
Both sides sit mid-table with five wins from nine matches. Interestingly, five different players from each team have claimed the Player of the Match award during their victories. For MI, the honors have gone to Ashwani Kumar, Karn Sharma, Will Jacks, Rohit Sharma, and Trent Boult. For LSG, Shardul Thakur, Digvesh Rathi, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, and Avesh Khan have stepped up.
But that’s where the similarities end. MI, true to their reputation for slow starts, lost four of their first five games. Since then, however, they’ve surged back with four consecutive wins. Rohit Sharma has rediscovered his form with back-to-back scores in the 70s, Boult has been clinical in the death overs, and Jasprit Bumrah, after missing the opening fixtures, has returned to spearhead the bowling attack.
“I’ve always felt that once everyone starts clicking in this team, it is going to be complete domination,” said captain Hardik Pandya following their victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Armed with momentum and growing confidence, MI are poised for another strong showing as they head into Sunday’s clash.
They often say the IPL truly comes alive in the second half — and whether or not that’s entirely accurate, many teams believe it to be true. History is packed with examples: RCB’s dramatic surge last season with six straight wins to clinch a playoff spot, KKR’s title-winning and finalist runs in 2014 and 2021 respectively, and CSK’s 2010 championship comeback. Mumbai Indians (MI), of course, have built a legacy on slow starts and strong finishes, capturing the title five times despite early struggles.
Living up to that tradition once again, MI have turned their fortunes around with four wins in their last five games after managing just one victory in their opening four. The momentum has clearly swung back in their favour. Some might even trace the beginning of their revival to a thrilling game against Delhi, where three match-turning run-outs sparked a shift — coinciding perfectly with Rohit Sharma’s return to form.
After scoring just 38 runs across his first four matches, Rohit has stormed back with 190 runs in his next four innings, looking especially dominant in his last three outings. His resurgence has been central to MI’s winning streak. Batting coach Kieron Pollard certainly didn’t miss his chance to highlight this turnaround.
“If my memory serves me right, at the start of this competition, that question was different. I said sitting right here, we are going to be singing his praises. We always had that belief that he is going to come good. Sometimes there are dips. For someone who has played this sport for a long time, you have these moments. You just need that extra support from people. Now we are singing his praises. We are all very happy. In the Mumbai dressing room, we were happy at the start as well, knowing that it is going to happen,” Pollard said.
Suryakumar Yadav, too, is finding his rhythm, further solidifying MI’s batting might. On the bowling front, the trio of Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, and Jasprit Bumrah are hitting their strides, bringing balance and bite back to their attack. As MI gear up to face Lucknow Super Giants at home, it feels like normal service has resumed — and the five-time champions are back in business.
Adding to the worry for LSG, Mumbai Indians (MI) boast favourable match-ups against some of their key players. Jasprit Bumrah, for instance, has dominated Pant in the IPL, dismissing him seven times in 46 balls while conceding just 55 runs. Bumrah also has Pooran’s number, removing him twice in 18 deliveries for only 13 runs.
Spin could play a role too. MI’s Mitchell Santner, one of the few left-arm spinners to trouble Pooran in T20s, has dismissed the big-hitter twice in 20 balls while leaking only 25 runs.
Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, is peaking at the right time for MI, having scored 76* and 70 in his last two innings — his first back-to-back IPL fifties since 2016.
Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have stumbled recently, suffering two defeats in their last three outings. Although they strung together three consecutive wins after a rocky start, their current form raises concerns. Rishabh Pant and David Miller are yet to make a significant impact, leaving their middle order looking among the weakest in the competition. To make matters worse, Nicholas Pooran, who began the season brightly, has registered low scores of 8, 11, and 9 in his last three innings, further exposing their vulnerabilities.
Level on points with MI, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have found it difficult to generate any real momentum this season. It’s been a stuttering campaign, made more challenging by the struggles of skipper Rishabh Pant. With only 106 runs across nine matches, the league’s most expensive player has looked completely out of rhythm — a situation summed up in their last game, where Pant batted as low as No. 7. His lack of form remains a major concern for LSG.
On the brighter side, it’s their bowling attack that has kept them afloat. Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, and especially Digvesh Rathi have all made valuable contributions. Their spin department, in particular, has been a standout unit, second only to CSK’s in terms of success this season.
Much of this success can be attributed to spin-friendly pitches and batters struggling to handle quality spin bowling. “Why are you not saying the spinners are doing well?” Ravi Bishnoi countered when asked about batting difficulties. “Bowlers are also bowling well. Rathi is bowling well in his first year. We as a bowling and spin unit are working hard on ourselves. The game has changed. All of a sudden it is a batters’ game now. So we are trying hard to deceive the batsmen as well.”
However, Bishnoi and his spin colleagues will face perhaps their toughest challenge yet when they line up against the in-form duo of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday (April 27) evening.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have endured four wicketless batting PowerPlays in IPL 2025 — the joint-most alongside Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Interestingly, despite their struggles at the top, LSG have cleared the ropes more than any other side this season, smashing 86 sixes so far. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians (MI) have been efficient during the early stages of their innings, registering the third-highest number of sixes in the PowerPlay (26), only behind RR (37) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) (29).
Given Rishabh Pant’s ongoing struggles and David Miller’s limited opportunities at the crease, a tactical tweak could benefit Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Slotting Miller at No. 4 and pushing Pant lower down the order might add more stability and firepower to their middle overs.
However, LSG would take heart from Avesh Khan’s excellent record against MI skipper Hardik Pandya — three dismissals in 37 balls for just 32 runs this season.
In terms of death bowling, LSG’s young spinner Digvesh Rathi leads the pack among those who have bowled at least five overs, with an impressive economy of 7.66, just ahead of Bumrah (7.75). MI’s Hardik, though, has struggled, conceding runs at 16.20 per over at the death.
However, one advantage LSG can bank on is their impressive 6-1 head-to-head record against MI, which includes a victory earlier this season when MI controversially retired out Tilak Varma during a failed chase of 204. That said, Sunday’s clash shifts to MI’s fortress — the Wankhede Stadium — where they have secured three wins from four matches so far.
Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants: Recent Form
Mumbai Indians WWWL (last five matches, most recent first)
Lucknow Super Giants LWLWW
Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants: Head-to-Head
MI 1–6 LSG. Mumbai Indians have also been defeated in both their previous encounters against LSG at the Wankhede.
- Matches Played: 07
- Won by Mumbai Indians: 01
- Won by Lucknow Super Giants: 06
- Tied: 00
- No Result: 00
- First-ever Fixture: April 16, 2022
- Most-recent Fixture: April 04, 2025
Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The Wankhede Stadium has hosted four night games this season, with MI winning the toss each time and choosing to field. They emerged victorious in three of those matches by limiting the opposition to modest totals. However, Sunday’s match will be played in the afternoon heat, which could prompt a change in approach.
Since dew won’t be a factor in an afternoon game, the toss will be less significant. The focus will shift to a contest between MI’s batters and LSG’s bowlers, and it is likely to be a high-scoring affair.
Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants: Team News and Predicted XI
Mumbai Indians – Team News
It’s unlikely that MI will make any changes to their winning combination. While Karn Sharma’s availability remains unclear, he has been seen bowling in the nets over the past two days. All other players are fit and available.
Rohit Sharma will face off against his friend and Mumbai teammate, Shardul Thakur, early on. However, the real test will be how MI’s batters, including Suryakumar Yadav, handle the challenge posed by Bishnoi and Rathi, who appear to have specific plans for MI’s top order. To contain Nicholas Pooran, LSG’s key batter, either Deepak Chahar or Trent Boult will likely take on the responsibility. If needed, MI can always rely on Jasprit Bumrah to deliver in the crunch moments.
Mumbai Indians – Predicted XI
- Ryan Rickelton (wk)
- Rohit Sharma
- Will Jacks
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya (capt)
- Naman Dhir
- Mitchell Santner
- Deepak Chahar
- Trent Boult
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Vignesh Puthur
Lucknow Super Giants – Team News
In their last two matches, LSG opted to bring in Ayush Badoni as an Impact Player in the first innings, leaving Mayank Yadav on the bench. There’s some speculation about Mayank’s fitness being a possible factor in his absence from the XI. For now, Mayank remains sidelined, but the rest of the squad appears to be in good shape.
LSG’s batting strategy heavily relies on their three overseas players—Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran. They will need to counter MI’s in-form pacers if LSG is to put up a competitive total.
Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants: Players To Watch Out For
Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)
Ahead of the IPL, there were concerns about Suryakumar Yadav’s form. In February, during the T20I series against England, he managed just 28 runs in five matches, with a strike rate of 116.66.
However, since the start of the IPL, he has played nine innings, scoring at least 25 runs in each. Currently, he is MI’s top run-scorer with 373 runs at a strike rate of 166.51. The only thing still absent is his signature, game-changing performance.
Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)
With this being the final IPL before the 2026 T20 World Cup, the tournament serves as an important audition for players, and Rishabh Pant appears to have faltered. He has scored just 106 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 96.36, with five of those innings ending in single-digit scores.
His decision to come in at No. 7 against Delhi Capitals, following an animated discussion with team mentor Zaheer Khan, didn’t create a positive impression either.
Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Mumbai Indians win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 55-65
- Lucknow Super Giants Total: 175-195
- Match Result: Mumbai Indians win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Lucknow Super Giants win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 50-60
- Mumbai Indians Total: 175-195
- Match Result: Lucknow Super Giants win the match
When and Where To Watch Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants is set to begin at 3:30 PM IST on Sunday, April 27, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
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FAQs
What is the head-to-head record between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)?
MI and LSG have played 7 matches, with LSG winning 6 and MI winning just 1.
How has Rohit Sharma performed in IPL 2025?
Rohit Sharma has scored back-to-back fifties in his last two matches, his first such achievement since 2016.
Which players have been the standout performers for LSG in IPL 2025?
Key performers for LSG include Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Shardul Thakur, and Digvesh Rathi.
What is Rishabh Pant’s form like in IPL 2025?
Rishabh Pant has struggled in IPL 2025, scoring only 106 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 96.36.
How does the Wankhede Stadium affect Mumbai Indians’ strategy in IPL 2025?
Mumbai Indians have won 3 of their 4 night games at Wankhede, but the shift to an afternoon match might force a change in their strategy.
