Hardik Pandya's fiery Five-For goes in vain as LSG post 203 despite MI fightback

Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Apr 4: Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya delivered a career-best bowling performance, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket. However, it wasn't enough to stop Lucknow Super Giants from posting an imposing 203 for 8 in their IPL clash here on Friday.

Pandya, leading from the front, returned with splendid figures of 5/36, dismantling the LSG middle order by removing Aiden Markram (52), Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, David Miller, and Akash Deep. His incisive spell brought Mumbai back into the game after a blazing start from the hosts.

Opting to bat first, LSG got off to a flier as opener Mitchell Marsh continued his red-hot form, smashing 60 off just 31 deliveries his third half-century in four games. The Australian opener’s knock featured nine boundaries and two towering sixes, helping LSG reach 69 without loss at the end of the powerplay.

Markram, who had struggled in earlier games, found rhythm at the right time, contributing a solid 52 and anchoring the innings even as wickets fell around him. Together, Marsh and Markram stitched a formidable 76-run opening partnership that put Mumbai on the back foot early.

The breakthrough came in the seventh over when left-arm wrist spinner Vignesh Puthur the hero from MI's previous win over CSK dismissed Marsh with a sharp caught-and-bowled.

Pandya then triggered a collapse, dismissing Pooran and the out-of-form Rishabh Pant in quick succession. Pant, who managed just 2 off six balls, was brilliantly caught by substitute fielder Corbin Bosch at mid-off.

LSG were 107 for 3 in 10.4 overs when Pant fell, but Markram held firm until the 18th over before being dismissed by Pandya once again. Despite the setbacks, LSG managed to push past the 200-mark, thanks to some late-order contributions.

Earlier, Deepak Chahar conceded 15 runs in his first over, while Marsh took the attack to Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, and young left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar, who was taken for 23 runs in the sixth over alone.

Meanwhile, Mumbai suffered a setback even before the match began, with Rohit Sharma sitting out due to a knee injury sustained in the nets.

Despite Pandya’s heroics with the ball, MI now face a stiff chase to overhaul LSG's strong total.