MI Vs LSG: Rohit-Rickelton Show Powers Mumbai To Record Chase, Keep IPL 2026 Playoff Hopes Alive In Hardik's Absence

Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83) smashed stroke-full half-centuries as Mumbai Indians hunted down 229 against Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League match at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. The duo shared 143 runs opening stand in just 65 balls to make a stiff target easier. MI eventually reached the target in 18.4 overs, winning by six wickets to end three-match losing streak in absence of Rohit.

This was only the third win for the home side in ten games and LSG remained at the bottom place with just two wins in nine games. Both franchises are almost out of the Play-offs race.

Pooran powers LSG to 228/5

Earlier, Nicholas Pooran returned back to form with a swashbuckling 63 in 21 balls to power LSG to a commanding total of 228/5. Pooran shared 94 runs in just 35 balls for the second wicket with Mitchell Marsh (44) after a brief cameo from opener Jos Inglis. After their exit, hosts bowlers made a strong comeback to restrict the visitors well below 250, which was ominous at the halfway mark.

Pooran earlier gave the necessary lift as LSG raced to 90 runs in powerplay and raised hundred in the seventh over, after Marsh and Pooran went hammer and tongs. MI premier bowlers Jasprit Bumrah leaked 31 runs (including 21 in one over) and Allah Ghazanfar (including 19 in one over) went for 28 runs in their two overs inside powerplays.

Pooran who had scored 82 runs in eight matches prior to that game, with an average of 10.25 and strike rate of 81.19 found the mojo back. He smashed eight big sixes and a single boundary and scored at a strike rate of 300.

After his exit LSG lost their way, losing four wickets in the middle overs. Corbin Bosch (2 for 20 in two overs) who replaced Trent Boult in the playing XI dismissed both Pooran and Marsh. Spinners Will Jacks and Raghu Sharma (1 for 16) also struck to stem the flow of runs.

From 155 for 4 in 11 overs, LSG crawled to 175 for 5 in 15 overs before Aiden Markram (31 not out) and Himmat Singh (40 not out) regained momentum in Ghazanfar’s (1 for 50) last over. Raghu who was miserly conceded 16 runs in his last over. However, Deepak Chahar and Bumrah bowled tight in the last three overs to limit LSG. Bumrah conceded 45 runs and went wicketless for the seventh time in 10 matches. Chahar to his credit gave away no boundary in his last two overs. 

Rohit-Rickelton make light work

Rohit made a return to the side after missing a few games due to shoulder injury and Rickelton had lost his place to Quinton de Kock before making a strong comeback against Sunrisers Hyderabad here. The pair got together after many matches to raise fifty in five overs in pursuit of the 200 plus target. Rickelton continued from where he left against SRH in a losing cause.

Following his unbeaten ton on Wednesday, the South African wicket-keeper batter took on Mohammad Shami and Mohsin Khan to give hosts a flying start. Rohit took a liking for Avesh Khan, hitting two boundaries and two consecutive sixes to finish powerplay in style as MI reached 71 for no loss.

Rickelton went after Mohsin but was dismissed in the same over after hitting six fours and eight sixes in his 32-ball knock. Rohit took charge after his opening partner's exit. He seemed in a hurry and took on spinner Manimaran Siddharth in his first two overs. However, the impact player showed his worth by removing Rohit and Tilak Varma in his last two overs and gave away just five and three runs, ending with figures of 2 for 47. Prince Yadav looked the only bowler who could trouble the batters on a flat deck with his variations.