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LSG vs MI: Skipper Pandya’s heroics go unrewarded as Mumbai fall short vs LSG
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians, who have not really clicked so far this season, with just two points from three games, will take on Lucknow Super Giants in a clash between two struggling teams in the Indian Premier League on Friday. India captain Rohit's form with the bat has put the MI team management in a tight spot. The same is for LSG skipper Pant whose extended dry run is not helping matters for the home side. With both the teams almost identically placed with a solitary win each in three games, the contest could boil down to who exploits the conditions better on the day. Given that the curators haven't been providing tailor-made pitches to the home sides -- something that has caused frustration of the coaches and players in some franchises -- the team that gets a head-start with the bat or ball in the power play overs could call the shots. The prolonged absence of MI pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah due to injury and the management maintaining a stoic silence on his return is only adding to the frustration of the Hardik Pandya-led side. MI, though, found success in the handy pace of young left-armer Ashwani Kumar, who single-handedly demolished defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders with excellent figures of 4/24 in three overs in their win at home on March 31. Lucknow Super Giants, placed sixth behind MI, have not really hit their strides following their demoralising one-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals in the IPL opener at Visakhapatnam. While West Indies' Nicholas Pooran has been in sublime form and is leading the scoring charts with 189 runs from three games, including two half-centuries, his exploits have not rubbed off on other LSG batters, except Australian Mitchell Marsh, who too has two half-tons so far in this edition. Much of their woes are due to their bowling, led by Shardul Thakur and Ravi Bishnoi, and the poor form of their charismatic captain Pant with the bat. LSG vs MI, IPL 2025 live updates: Full teams Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Abdul Samad, Akash Deep, Akash Singh, Avesh Khan, Ayush Badoni, Matthew Breetzke, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Himmat Singh, Shamar Joseph, Aryan Juyal, Arshin Kulkarni, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Nicholas Pooran, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Manimaran Siddharth, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Yadav. Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Ashwani Kumar, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Bevon Jacobs, Robin Minz, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naman Dhir, Vignesh Puthur, Satyanarayana Raju, Ryan Rickelton, Mitchell Santner, Karn Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Krishnan Shrijith, Arjun Tendulkar, Tilak Varma, Reece Topley, Suryakumar Yadav. LSG vs MI, IPL 2025 live updates: Toss update Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to bowl first against home team Lucknow Super Giants. LSG vs MI, IPL 2025 live updates: Playing XIs Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan Mumbai Indians: Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Vignesh Puthur LSG vs MI, IPL 2025 live updates: Impact subs Mumbai Indians : Tilak Varma, Corbin Bosch, Robin Minz, Satyanarayana Raju, Karn Sharma Lucknow Super Giants: Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, M Siddharth, Akash Singh LSG vs MI, IPL 2025 live updates: Match begins! Pandya's sensational spell goes in vain as Mumbai fail to cross the line by 12 runs. MI: 191/5 (20 overs) With Pandya and Santner at the crease, Mumbai Indians require 22 runs from the final 6 deliveries to pull off a thrilling chase. Avesh Khan steps up to bowl the decisive over for LSG. MI: 182/5 (19 overs) LSG get a crucial breakthrough as Avesh Khan dismisses the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav, with Abdul Samad holding on to a pressure catch. Hardik Pandya now joins Tilak Varma in the middle to take Mumbai forward in the chase. MI: 164/4 (17 overs) Mumbai Indians need 61 runs from 30 balls, with Suryakumar Yadav in top form. However, Tilak Varma has struggled to find his timing. The chase is set for an intense finish. MI: 143/3 (15 overs) LSG are under pressure as Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma continue MI's chase with ease. With 79 runs needed off 42 balls, Lucknow must break this partnership soon. MI: 125/3 (13 overs) LSG get a crucial breakthrough as Digvesh Rathi dismisses the in-form Naman Dhir, who falls just 4 runs short of his half-century. With Mumbai losing a key batter, Tilak Varma now steps in to stabilize the chase. MI: 89/3 (9 overs) Mumbai Indians are only two overs into their chase, and Lucknow Super Giants have already made a strong impact. Akash Deep struck first, dismissing the dangerous Will Jacks, followed by Shardul Thakur removing Ryan Rickelton in quick succession. With both openers back in the pavilion, Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir now have the responsibility of steadying MI’s innings after the early blows from LSG’s pace attack. MI: 25/2 (3 overs) Hosts Lucknow put up a formidable total of 203/8 in their 20 overs, courtesy of brilliant half-centuries from openers Marsh and Markram. The middle order provided the finishing touch, with Ayush Badoni and David Miller delivering explosive cameos in the latter stages of the innings. LSG: 203/8 (20 overs) MI tighten their grip on the game by dismissing Aiden Markram and Abdul Samad in quick succession, slowing LSG’s momentum in the death overs. However, David Miller remains at the crease, eyeing a strong finish for his side. LSG: 188/6 (19 overs) Markram, who opened the innings for LSG, reaches his half-century in 34 balls. He has been the backbone of the innings, ensuring stability as LSG aim for a strong finish. With David Miller joining him at the crease, the team will look to accelerate in the death overs. LSG: 168/4 (17 overs) After the quick dismissals of Pooran and Pant, Lucknow have found themselves in a tricky situation. However, Aiden Markram and Ayush Badoni have stitched a crucial partnership, stabilizing the innings and regaining momentum for their side. LSG: 146/3 (15 overs) Pandya picks up another crucial wicket, dismissing LSG skipper Rishabh Pant. Pant gets a leading edge, and Bosch takes a spectacular catch. With Pant back in the dugout, the pressure now falls on Aiden Markram to anchor the innings. LSG: 108/3 (11 overs) Making an immediate impact, Hardik Pandya removes the in-form Nicholas Pooran with a well-directed short ball in his very first over. With Pooran departing, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant steps in to take charge. LSG: 92/2 (9 overs) Mumbai Indians’ fast bowlers failed to make an impact in the opening four overs, prompting skipper Hardik Pandya to bring in Mitchell Santner. However, the spinner couldn’t stem the flow of runs either, conceding 11 in his first over. LSG: 46/0 (5 overs) Lucknow Super Giants openers Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh have started aggressively in Lucknow. Marsh, in particular, is in a destructive mood, taking on Deepak Chahar for 15 runs in the second over. LSG: 21/0 (2 overs)
04 April,2025 11:32 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
LSG vs MI: Why is Rohit Sharma not playing against Lucknow Super Giants?
Mumbai Indians were on Friday dealt a significant blow after star opener, Rohit Sharma, was unavailable for a crucial encounter against Lucknow Super Giants. The veteran batsman suffered a knee injury during a net session, prompting captain Hardik Pandya and the team management to adopt a cautious approach. Rohit, who featured as an impact substitute in MI's previous match, did step out to bat. A similar role was anticipated for him in this fixture, but an unfortunate injury in the nets ruled him out of contention. "Ro was not available. He got hit on the knee and he won't be available tonight," Pandya confirmed during the toss. The exact nature of Rohit’s injury remains unclear, but the MI management is unwilling to take any risks with one of their most valuable assets. In his absence, Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton are expected to open the innings for MI. Rohit Sharma’s IPL 2025 campaign at a glance Despite a stellar performance in the Champions Trophy final, Rohit has struggled to find form in IPL 2025. His campaign began on a disappointing note with a duck against Chennai Super Kings, followed by a meager eight-run knock against Gujarat Titans. His woes continued in MI’s first home game against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he managed just 13 runs off 12 deliveries. However, despite his personal struggles, MI secured a comfortable victory in that match. MI have secured just one victory so far, a home win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), while suffering two away defeats against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT). On the other hand, the Lucknow-based franchise has managed to win only one match out of three, and at the moment, they are in seventh position with just two points on the IPL 2025 points table. "We are gonna bowl first. Looks like a fresh wicket. Not sure how it is going to play. Looks like a decent track. Dew might come in later. Thought better to chase. I think we in a group have spoken that we don't want to talk about the wickets. We are here to play good cricket. That's the talk we have. Let's not talk about the surfaces. I think adaptation. Sticking to the right plans and being smart. A lot of runs are being scored. Cricket is situation-based. Rohit was hit on the knee. He is missing out. Jasprit should be back soon," Pandya said after winning the toss.
04 April,2025 07:43 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
LSG vs MI: Jasprit Bumrah to return for MI tonight? Here’s what we know so far
The highly anticipated 16th group-stage encounter of IPL 2025 will witness the Mumbai Indians (MI) locking horns with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) this evening. Under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, MI have had a turbulent start to their campaign, securing just one victory in three matches. They currently occupy the sixth position in the IPL 2025 points table and will be eager to gain momentum with a win tonight. Mumbai Indians have sorely missed the services of their ace pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, in their last three encounters. The star bowler suffered a back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which subsequently ruled him out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per earlier reports, Bumrah is expected to rejoin the MI camp around mid-April. Given this timeline, it is highly improbable that he will feature in Friday’s high-voltage clash against LSG. His absence continues to be a significant setback for MI’s bowling attack, but the team must adapt and find alternative strategies to compensate for the void left by their premier fast bowler. Mumbai Indians’ in IPL 2025 Mumbai Indians had an underwhelming start to their campaign, succumbing to defeats in their first two outings. However, they roared back to form in their third fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), delivering a commanding performance that secured them their first win of the season. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, MI's bowling unit delivered a clinical performance, restricting the defending champions KKR to a meager total of 116 runs. The standout performer of the match was Ashwani Kumar, whose sensational spell dismantled the KKR batting lineup, giving MI the upper hand early in the contest. Chasing the modest target, MI’s batting lineup displayed composure and precision. Their top-order batters executed a measured chase, securing victory by eight wickets. The win not only boosted their confidence but also served as a statement to their competitors that MI remains a formidable force despite early setbacks. Road ahead As they prepare to take on LSG, MI will be keen to build on their newfound momentum. While the absence of Bumrah remains a concern, MI will look to capitalise on their recent success and deliver another dominant performance.
04 April,2025 07:00 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
LSG vs MI: Dream11 team prediction, head-to-head, predicted playing XIs & more
Hardik Pandya and Co. are all geared up to lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium. Ahead of the match, people will keep a tab on former MI skipper Rohit Sharma to deliver a big knock at the "Giants" home ground. Additionally, it will be interesting to see if the "Paltan" manages to seal victory in their third away game of the IPL 2025. So far, the "Men in Blue and Gold" have played three matches, out of which they suffered defeats in both of their away games. The only victory that came their way in the IPL 2025 was in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, which was played at the Wankhede Stadium. Also Read: LSG vs MI, IPL 2025: Where to watch, squads, pitch report, weather, live streaming and more LSG vs MI, IPL 2025, Dream 11 team prediction Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Digvesh Rathi, Akash Deep and Ravi Bishnoi. Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult Ashwani Kumar, Vignesh Puthur. LSG vs MI, IPL 2025: Head-to-head records So far, both teams have had six face-offs in the league's history, out of which the Giants are leading the charts with five victories. The Mumbaikars have managed to secure one victory and will now look to better their record against the Rishabh Pant-led side. LSG vs MI, IPL 2025: Predicted playing XI Lucknow Super Giants: 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. Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Will Jacks/Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar. LSG vs MI, IPL 2025: Pitch and weather report Ekana ground is believed to be a balance between pace and spin, with both sides looking to prefer chasing runs. As of now, Lucknow weather reads to be at 38 degrees Celsius. Later, as the match proceeds, the dew factor might play a crucial role. The conditions might favour the team batting second at the venue, as the dew might make it difficult for the bowlers to hold onto the grip and length.
04 April,2025 06:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
LSG vs MI: Where to watch, squads, pitch report, weather, live streaming & more
Having registered their first win of the ongoing IPL 2025 in their previous game against Kolkata Knight Riders, the Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians are now all set to lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants in their backyard, the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground. The two defeats MI have suffered have been away from their home. Notably, the clash against LSG will be their third away game of the ongoing IPL 2025. The match against KKR was played at Wankhede Stadium. Earlier, Team India's Test specialist, Cheteshwar Pujara, stated that the Mumbai Indians is one of the three teams that get home advantage. It will be interesting to see if Paltan delivers performance in their third away game of the IPL 2025 at Ekana. Also Read: IPL 2025 | "Happy with the batting unit": KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane after win against SRH LSG vs MI, IPL 2025: Where to watch Star Sports remains the official broadcaster of IPL 2025, providing extensive coverage across multiple channels: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD, Star Sports 2 Hindi, Star Sports 2 Hindi HD, Star Sports Khel, and Star Sports 3. LSG vs MI, IPL 2025: Full Squads Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant(w/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. Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), 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. LSG vs MI, IPL 2025: Pitch and weather report Ekana ground is believed to be a balance between pace and spin, with both sides looking to prefer chasing runs. As of now, Lucknow weather reads to be at 38 degrees Celsius. Later, as the match proceeds, the dew factor might play a crucial role. The conditions might favour the team batting second at the venue, as the dew might make it difficult for the bowlers to hold onto the grip and length.
04 April,2025 06:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
IPL 2025: Not Gill, Buttler feels this player is the one to watch for the future
Gujarat Titans' Jos Buttler, who has been enjoying his success in IPL 2025 since his transfer from his former team Rajasthan Royals, has praised Sai Sudharsan and said that he is the one to watch for the future. "I've been really impressed by Sai. He's a brilliant player. I knew he was a good player but obviously when you see guys up close, you get a better look at them and he's fantastic. He has got an amazing future ahead. He has been ultra consistent. He has got an amazing all-round game. I think he's one to watch for the future," said Buttler. Sudharsan has emerged as one of the most consistent players for the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat. Also Read: IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders becomes first team to reach the untouched feat The former England cricketer also said that he is feeling much lighter after stepping down from the captaincy role of the national team. The swashbuckling right-hander is making the most out of his mental clarity in the ongoing IPL 2025. He entered the cash-rich league under scrutiny, both for his form and for joining a new team, GT. "I certainly feel a lot lighter. Obviously, being a captain, when you're not getting the results can weigh heavy on you and you spend a lot of time and energy thinking about it and trying to make it right," Jos Buttler told PTI in an exclusive interview. Gujarat under Shubman Gill's captaincy has played three IPL 2025 matches and Buttler has delivered performances by scoring two half-centuries. So far, with the highest score of 73 in three games, he is among the leading run-scorers of the IPL 2025 with 116 runs under his belt. "Being free of that certainly has given me a lot more space in my own mind and I feel a lot more relaxed and I can just focus on my own game," he said. Having primarily batted as an opener in T20 cricket, Buttler has recently adapted to the No. 3 role for both England and the Titans. "I'm really comfortable with batting at No 3. It's something I've been doing recently for England, so just using all my experiences as an opener, as a middle-order player to just play how I see the new role and be a part of what is a really fantastic team." The wicketkeeper has forged a formidable three-pronged attack with Indian batters Gill and Sudharsan and was rich in praise for the two youngsters. Jos Buttler stated that he has been enjoying playing under Gill's captaincy. "I think Gill is a fantastic captain. He has got a lot of really good, admirable leadership traits. He leads from the front with the way he plays and prepares. He has been great for everyone. I'm really enjoying working under him." Gujarat Titans will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next IPL 2025 encounter on April 6 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. (With PTI Inputs)
04 April,2025 06:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
IPL 2025: Kolkata's Venkatesh Iyer more bothered about 'impact' than price tag
Venkatesh Iyer said that his eye-watering price tag in the ongoing IPL 2025 'does not matter' and he is focused on 'impact' after his batting blitz helped Kolkata Knight Riders thrash Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday. The left-handed batsman hammered 60 off 29 balls as Kolkata triumphed by 80 runs at their home Eden Gardens in a rerun of last year's final, which Kolkata also won. Iyer, who Kolkata snapped up for 2.81 million dollars in the November auction, proved his worth in a knock laced with seven fours and three sixes. The price was the third highest in the auction in Saudi Arabia, after Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer went for record sales of 3.21 million dollars and 3.17 million dollars respectively. "You tell me if the pressure has been released," the 30-year-old Iyer said afterwards, beaming a wide smile. "I have been saying this constantly, that when the IPL starts, the price tag does not matter." Iyer came into the match with just nine runs from two innings in the previous three matches and the defending champions bottom of the table. After a middle-order stutter, Iyer took on the opposition attack in a 91-run fifth-wicket stand with fellow left-hander Rinku Singh, who hit 32 not out, to steer Kolkata to 200-6. "Aggression does not mean tonking every ball for a sixer," Iyer said on his controlled aggression and calculated risks. "It's about how you understand the conditions, and how you are able to maximise the conditions in your favour." Iyer said that his performances should not be constantly measured purely in terms of big scores. "There will be situations where my work will be to play just a few overs," he said. "It's about the impact." Bowlers led by impact substitute Vaibhav Arora bowled out Hyderabad for 120 in 16.4 overs, as Kolkata climbed off the bottom of the 10-team table with two wins and two losses. Before this match, KKR had lost two out of their first three games, with their explosive middle order coming under scrutiny for reckless shot selection. They had suffered batting collapses against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians. (With AFP inputs)
04 April,2025 06:07 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondent
IPL 2025 | "Happy with the batting unit": KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane after win
After Kolkata Knight Riders' 80-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, skipper Ajinkya Rahane said that winning by a big margin was crucial. "This game was really important for us. Winning by a big margin was crucial. Even we wanted to bowl on this wicket. When we lost two early wickets, we wanted to consolidate till 6 overs - play with intent but play cricketing shots. And then when we have wickets in hand, guys down the order can get as many runs as possible. Happy with the batting unit," said Rahane during the post-match presentation. KKR's IPL 2025 campaign came back on track after their defeats against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians. In the match against SRH, vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi smashed half-centuries and later the three-wicket hauls from Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakravarthy helped the side defeat Hyderabad at Eden Gardens. Also Read: IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders becomes first team to reach the untouched feat Ajinkya Rahane also stated that the last two IPL 2025 matches and even the win against MI were not up to the mark, but the side has learnt from its mistakes. "This is a great example for us as a batting unit. Rinku and Venkatesh - those guys can play brilliant shots. Ramandeep (Singh) was sitting in the dugout, Dre (Andre Russell) was sitting and Moeen was also ready. It was about playing normal till 15 overs and take it on. Initially, we thought 170-180 in the surface would be good. Slower balls were gripping. We had three quality spinners. Moeen, unfortunately, couldn't bowl tonight. Sunny (Sunil Narine) and Varun bowled really well. Credit goes to Vaibhav and Harshit (Rana) as well," he concluded. After winning the match against Hyderabad, Kolkata also became the first-ever team to register 20-plus victories against three different teams in the league's history. They now hold 20 wins against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The side also has 21 wins against the Punjab Kings. Kolkata will now take on Lucknow Super Giants in their next IPL 2025 encounter on April 8 at the Eden Gardens. (With ANI Inputs)
04 April,2025 05:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
IPL 2025
"We don't want to be the team...," says Venkatesh Iyer after win vs SRH
In the IPL 2025 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, the "Orange Army" innings wrapped up for 120 runs. SRH registered the score of 286 runs in their first match and since then have suffered three defeats. Speaking about SRH's performance, KKR vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer said, "We don't want to be the team that when we hit it, we score 250 and when we don't, we get out for 70.""We want to be a team who understands the pitch and the conditions quickly and assess what is the par score on that pitch and always try to make 20 runs above-par. That is what aggression for KKR means."Iyer feels that his price tag of Rs. 23.75 crore doesn't mean he has to deliver in every single match. He stated that his focus is on making impactful contributions to the team. KKR used the Right to Match card for Venkatesh in the mega auction in November. With this, he became the franchise's most expensive player and third costliest in the league. Also Read: IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya-led MI set to take on LSG after two defeats in away games In the IPL 2025, Venkatesh Iyer had a poor start as he garnered just nine runs in the first two matches. "I won't lie, there is a little pressure. You guys talk so much. But being the highest-paid player (in KKR) does not mean I have to make runs in every match," Iyer said candidly at the post-match press conference. "It's about how I am winning for the team and what impact I am able to make. The pressure is not about how much money I am getting or how many runs I have to make. That's never been the pressure on me," he said firmly. Brushing off all the criticism, the left-hander played a knock of 60 runs, which came in 29 deliveries in the IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Asked whether the pressure of being the highest-paid player in KKR had finally been lifted, Iyer smiled and tossed the question back. "You tell me? The pressure will be released when... I keep saying this: After starting the IPL, it doesn't matter if you're getting 20 lakh or 20 crore. I'm a player of the team who wants to contribute to the team's victory." "Sometimes there will be very tricky situations where my job will be to play out some overs, and even if I do that and don't score runs, I have worked for my team." There has been much debate around the Eden Gardens pitch not suiting KKR's spin-heavy bowling attack. Against SRH, the hosts got a drier surface with variable bounce and some grip to back their strengths. "It was a good competitive pitch. We bowled very well. We had a par score on Eden. We have used the conditions and the pitch well. "I never believe that the pitch should be like this or that. We are professional cricketers. So obviously we will adjust to it. But yes, if we get what we want in our home, it will be great for us," Iyer said.Before this match, KKR had lost two out of their first three games, with their explosive middle order coming under scrutiny for reckless shot selection. Ajinkya Rahane-led Kolkata suffered a batting collapse in the matches against RCB and MI. Iyer insisted that KKR has never endorsed the "fearless" brand of cricket, instead priding themselves on a calculated aggression. "The basic meaning of aggression is showing a positive intent. It's about showing positive but correct intent. Aggression does not mean tonking every ball for sixes." "It's about how you understand the conditions, how you are able to maximise the conditions in your favour. That is what we as a team want to play." KKR will lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants in their next IPL 2025 clash on April 8 at Eden Gardens. (With PTI Inputs)
04 April,2025 01:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
IPL 2025: Iyer’s fiery 60 shuts down critics as KKR demolish SRH by 80 runs
Venkatesh Iyer silenced his critics in style, hammering a match-winning 60 off 29 balls to propel Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a commanding 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL on Thursday. Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi (50 off 32 balls, 5x4, 2x6) provided stability in an 81-run stand with captain Ajinkya Rahane (38 off 27 balls), setting a solid foundation. The late fireworks came courtesy of Iyer and *Rinku Singh (32 off 17 balls)**, who stitched together a blistering 91-run partnership off just 41 balls to push KKR to 200/6—their highest total of the season. Arora, Chakravarthy lead KKR's bowling onslaught KKR’s bowling attack wasted no time in dismantling SRH’s much-hyped batting lineup. Vaibhav Arora set the tone with 3/29 in four overs, dismissing Travis Head (4) and Ishan Kishan (2) in quick succession. Harshit Rana struck early, removing Abhishek Sharma (2) as SRH slumped to 9/3 in 2.1 overs. The wickets kept tumbling with contributions from Andre Russell (1/28) and Sunil Narine (1/30), leaving SRH gasping at 66/5 at the halfway mark. Varun Chakravarthy (3/22 in 4 overs) wrapped up the innings clinically, taking two wickets in two balls as SRH crumbled to 120 all out in just 16.4 overs. SRH’s struggles continue as KKR bounce back The win marked a crucial turnaround for the defending champions, who bounced back after losing two of their first three matches. KKR will now prepare to face Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. For SRH, the nightmare run continued with their third consecutive defeat. They now return home to take on Gujarat Titans on Sunday, desperately seeking redemption. Key moments from the match Powerplay Woes: KKR’s new-look opening pair struggled again as Quinton de Kock (1) and Narine (7) departed early after Pat Cummins opted to bowl first. Rahane & Raghuvanshi Steady the Ship: The duo countered early movement, with Rahane breaking free with back-to-back sixes off Shami and Cummins. Raghuvanshi’s Classy Fifty: Showcased elegant strokeplay, including a stunning reverse hit past backward point. He reached fifty off 30 balls before falling to a diving catch. Mendis’ Impressive Debut: The Sri Lankan bowled both left-arm spin and off-spin in the same over, a rare feat in the IPL, but was surprisingly underutilized. Iyer & Rinku’s Late Assault: Boundaries dried up for 16 balls before Iyer broke free, smashing Simarjeet Singh and Cummins in the death overs. Cummins' Tactical Missteps: Opted against using spin despite variable bounce, raising questions about his bowling strategy. (With PTI inputs)
04 April,2025 10:40 AM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondent
IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya-led MI set to take on LSG after two defeats in away game
Having lost both their away games, Mumbai Indians will aim to make amends when they take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on Friday night. MI are historically known for slow starts and waking up when things get desperate. Of course, these are early days in the IPL season, and things have not reached the desperation point. Yet, the quicker the five-time champions get into the rhythm, the better it will be for them in their bid to add another title to their impressive collection. MI have come to Lucknow after subduing Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai on Monday. Wankhede boost That comprehensive win has set them on the right track, with a few young performers, especially little-known bowlers, coming to the fore. Already, wrist spinner Vignesh Puttur and left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar have hogged the limelight with their impressive debuts in the tournament. Not having played much cricket outside their states, they did come as a surprise to the opposition, but there is no denying that one cannot succeed without having immense potential. Also Read: ‘I got a bit emotional, but was fine once I had the ball in hand’ The focus will be on Ashwani, who had become the first Indian to collect four wickets on IPL debut, with 4-24 against KKR. Before that, in the opening game, it was 23-year-old Puthur who became the cynosure of eyes by claiming three wickets against Chennai Super Kings. It will be interesting to see how these upcoming bowlers perform against in-form batters Nicholas Pooran, Mitch Marsh, David Miller and even Rishabh Pant, who will be desperate to end his poor run. LSG’s performance has been a mixed bag, having lost their only home game against Punjab Kings on Tuesday after taken down the high-flying SRH in Hyderabad last week. The defeat to Punjab was not as rankling, but what has shaken the team management is the way the team were overwhelmed by the Shreyas Iyer-led side and the continued flop show with the bat by their skipper Pant. LSG mentor Zaheer Khan took out his frustration on the curator for not pandering to the demands of the home team to prepare a pitch to their liking. But the LSG management must realise that when up against an experienced team like MI, the pitch will not matter much. MI batting coach Kieron Pollard also felt that adapting to the conditions was more important than worrying about the pitch. At the pre-match media interaction, he said, “It will be the superior collective performance on the day that will bring the desired result. It’s the team that adapts well to the conditions that emerges on top. We are all geared up to play on whatever [pitch] is on offer.” On the eve of the match, LSG got a boost when the injured pace bowler Akash Deep joined the squad. It remains to be seen if the management will draft him into the XI immediately, but Akash Deep told the media, “I am fit and ready to go. I am confident of hitting top form after my recent rehab at the Centre of Excellence in Bangalore.” Tough game Interestingly, head-to-head LSG are way ahead of MI, having won five of the six matches between the two ever since the Lucknow franchise joined the IPL in 2022, their only defeat coming in the 2023 Eliminator in Bangalore. However, with both teams currently placed in the middle of the points table with a solitary win apiece in three games, the contest will boil down to who exploits the conditions better.
04 April,2025 08:38 AM IST | Lucknow | Santosh Suri