The upcoming clash in the Indian Premier League 2024 between the Mumbai Indians and the Lucknow Super Giants on May 17, 2024, at 7:30 pm in Match 67 of IPL 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium marks the final showdown of the season for both squads.
Mumbai, having been ousted from contention over a week ago following a decisive 10-wicket defeat by Lucknow, now seek redemption and aim to finish strong despite languishing at the bottom of the points table.
On the other hand, Lucknow’s playoff aspirations have been dashed by a string of three consecutive losses, leaving them with a slim chance on paper but little hope in reality.
With both teams enduring four losses in their last five outings, they’re eager to salvage their campaigns with a victorious conclusion.
MI vs LSG: Match Preview
In the dynamic realm of the IPL, every match holds significance, even amidst teams seemingly out of contention for the playoffs. This significance is underscored by the BCCI’s regulations, which establish a Final League Standing Payment, distributed based on accrued League Points by the franchises. According to the franchise agreement reported by Cricbuzz, League Points correlate with the teams’ standings in the points table pre-Playoffs. The system ensures equitable fund distribution, with the last-placed team receiving one point and subsequent teams earning an additional point for each ascent in the table.
Friday’s match could evoke emotions of reflection and farewells as it marks the culmination of the current three-year auction cycle for both MI and LSG, with the latter facing slim chances of a miraculous turnaround. It’s conceivable that several players from both sides are taking the field together for the last time. However, before the sentimental farewells, there’s a game to be won and pride to be reclaimed.
Beyond financial implications, teams are motivated to avoid the stigma of finishing at the bottom. A victory for the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming match could elevate them from their current 10th position, with their final standing contingent on surrounding teams’ performances.
Naman Dhir emphasized the team’s commitment to pride and ending the season positively. Despite a challenging season marked by limited successes apart from Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling and sporadic brilliance from Suryakumar Yadav, attention also hones in on individual performances ahead of the World Cup, notably from Rohit Sharma and skipper Hardik Pandya, both part of the Indian squad. The reception for the captain during potential celebratory moments adds intrigue to the occasion.
A victory for MI could potentially lift them from the bottom of the points table, depending on Punjab Kings’ final performance. On the other hand, LSG, with a significant win, could aim for a sixth or even fifth-place finish, contingent upon the outcome of Saturday’s crucial clash between RCB and CSK.
MI’s management has been under scrutiny, particularly following the leadership reshuffle before the season. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, pivotal figures in this restructure, have faced formidable challenges. Rohit’s recent batting form has been lackluster, managing only 52 runs in his last six innings, while Hardik has struggled to make an impact with the bat, failing to notch a half-century in 12 innings. With the T20 World Cup looming, both India’s captain and vice-captain are eager to deliver convincing performances before departing for the USA.
LSG’s assistant coach, Lance Klusener, echoed the sentiment of playing for supporters and emphasized the desire to leave an impression ahead of the looming mega auction in the following year.
Conversely, discussions between LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka and skipper KL Rahul, speculated to revolve around championship aspirations after a game in Hyderabad, now shift focus. With LSG positioned seventh and playoff hopes dashed, attention turns to future planning, contingent upon player retention decisions and team composition for the upcoming seasons.
In contrast to MI’s consistent struggles, LSG began the season promisingly but faltered midway. Despite a strong start with five wins in eight matches, they faltered in the latter half, suffering three consecutive losses, the most recent against Delhi Capitals sealing their fate in the playoffs race. Concerns loom over the form of their top order and their overall batting approach, with debates arising over strike rates and intent, especially as other teams have consistently breached the 200-run mark. LSG’s scoring rate of 8.93 is the second-lowest in the tournament, reflecting their struggles across different phases of batting.
Thus, the upcoming match presents a showdown between two teams grappling with form, both eager to sign off on a positive note before embarking on a much-needed restructuring phase.
In Terms Of Recent Form:
Mumbai Indians LWLLL (most recent first)
Lucknow Super Giants LLLWL
MI vs LSG: Pitch Report & Conditions
In the six matches hosted at the Wankhede Stadium, outcomes have been mixed, with three victories for teams batting first and three for teams chasing. However, the game may face interruptions due to forecasted light showers, with a cross-breeze expected to influence play. Despite these conditions, the match is anticipated to be high-scoring, promising an exciting contest.
The Wankhede Stadium has witnessed a significant decline in first-innings scores during night games this season, plummeting to 174 from the previous high of 200 recorded just a year ago. Despite this trend, teams still prefer to chase, indicating a continued preference for setting targets under the floodlights.
Earlier in the week, Mumbai encountered a severe dust storm and thunderstorm; however, conditions are forecasted to remain predominantly dry come Friday evening. The red-soil surface, characterized by even bounce and a sprinkling of grass across the 22 yards, hints at conducive conditions for a high-scoring encounter. Dew could play a crucial role, making the toss a pivotal factor in determining the course of the game.
MI vs LSG: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 5
- Won by Mumbai Indians: 1
- Won by Lucknow Super Giants: 4
- No Result: 0
- First Played: April 16, 2022
- Last Played: April 30, 2024
In the previous encounter, Marcus Stoinis played a significant role in LSG’s four-wicket victory over MI. His contribution was notable on both fronts. Firstly, he made an early breakthrough by dismissing Suryakumar Yadav, setting the tone for MI’s struggle on a two-paced Lucknow surface affected by dew. Despite MI’s challenging total of 144, Stoinis’ resilient batting performance stood out as he crafted a crucial 62 runs off 45 balls, laying a strong foundation for LSG’s successful chase, which they completed with four balls to spare.
MI vs LSG: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians have maintained a consistent strategy of fielding only two overseas players in their starting XII for consecutive games. However, considering the venue at Wankhede Stadium, they might opt to strengthen their bowling unit by including fast bowler Gerald Coetzee in place of Naman Dhir. Additionally, the rotation of Rohit Sharma and Nuwan Thushara as Impact Subs could be a possibility, ensuring all players are in optimal condition with no injury concerns.
There’s a possibility that Jasprit Bumrah might be rested for this crucial clash. While such a decision might seem tactical in isolation, it could prove to be a misstep given Bumrah’s stature in the format and his advantageous matchups against key opposition batsmen like Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran.
In addition to his success against Stoinis and Pooran, Jasprit Bumrah has a notable record against KL Rahul, having dismissed him twice, while Rahul maintains a strike rate of 124.8 against the MI pacer. However, Piyush Chawla also presents a compelling option against the LSG captain, having dismissed him twice in just 20 deliveries, conceding only 33 runs in the process. This suggests a potential strategic advantage for MI in managing LSG’s key batting threat.
Predicted XII
- Rohit Sharma
- Ishan Kishan (capt)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya (capt)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Tim David
- Piyush Chawla
- Gerald Coetzee
- Anshul Kamboj
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Nuwan Thushara
Lucknow Super Giants
With the exception of Mayank Yadav, all players are fit and available for selection. Despite Quinton de Kock’s recent struggles with just one half-century in his last eight innings, and no score exceeding 19 in the remaining seven, there might be an opportunity to experiment with Kyle Mayers, who has yet to feature this season. Additionally, Ayush Bodoni could be considered as a substitute for Mohsin Khan when LSG bat.
Ishan Kishan has had difficulties facing Ravi Bishnoi, being dismissed four times in just 30 deliveries, making the leg-spinner a promising option for LSG to exploit early in the innings. Bishnoi also holds a favorable record against Suryakumar Yadav, having dismissed him three times in 32 balls.
Predicted XII
- KL Rahul (capt, wk)
- Kyle Mayers
- Marcus Stoinis
- Deepak Hooda
- Nicholas Pooran
- Krunal Pandya
- Ayush Badoni
- Arshad Khan
- Yudhvir Singh
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Mohsin Khan
MI vs LSG: Players Under The Spotlight
MI- Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya, India’s T20 vice-captain, is renowned for providing a unique balance to the team, a quality few possess. However, he has endured a challenging phase with the bat recently. Nonetheless, his recent performances with the ball have shown glimpses of promise. Displaying notable pace and consistency, he has bowled his full quota of overs in three out of the last four games, claiming seven wickets, including a decisive 3 for 31 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. A noteworthy contribution with the bat in a match-winning scenario could provide much-needed relief for both Pandya and the Indian team management.
LSG- Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran has emerged as a dependable performer at No. 3 in the T20 circuit over the past two years, boasting eight fifty-plus scores in 32 innings. Just two nights ago, he showcased his prowess with a blistering 27-ball 61, the second-highest score of the season for him. Notably, this innings came amidst a top-order collapse, highlighting Pooran’s ability to stabilize the innings under pressure. Despite his consistent performances, there has been a reluctance to promote him higher up the batting order. It may be worth reconsidering Pooran’s batting position for LSG, given his proven ability to excel in challenging situations.
MI vs LSG: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
- Mumbai Indians win the toss and choose to bowl first.
- Powerplay: 45-55
- Lucknow Super Giants: 155-165
- Prediction: Mumbai Indians win the match.
Scenario 2:
- Mumbai Indians win the toss and elect to bat first.
- Powerplay: 60-70
- Mumbai Indians: 200-210
- Prediction: Mumbai Indians win the match.
MI vs LSG: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: Ishan Kishan, Quinton de Kock
- Batsman: Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Suryakumar Yadav, Ayush Badoni
- All-rounders: Krunal Pandya
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (C), Yudhvir Singh, Naveen-ul-Haq, Arshad Khan (VC)
Team 2:
- Keeper: Ishan Kishan (VC), Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul
- Batsman: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Marcus Stoinis (C)
- Bowlers: Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshad Khan
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) , IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Friday – May 17
Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Where to watch MI vs LSG Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch MI vs LSG Live Telecast: Star Sports
