LSG pushes MI to the brink

LUCKNOW: Lucknow Super Giants earned a four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in the IPL here on Tuesday. Set to chase 145, LSG got there with four balls to spare with Marcus Stoinis top-scoring with 62 (45b, 7x4, 2x6). This is LSG’s sixth win in 10 games and moves it to third in the table, while MI suffered its seventh loss in 10 games to remain at ninth.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians’ top-order came a cropper as Lucknow Super Giants produced a clinical bowling display to restrict it to 144 for seven.

Invited to bat, MI dug in a big hole for itself by losing four wickets in the powerplay. The visitor just couldn’t recover from the hiccup despite a 53-run fifth-wicket stand between Nehal Wadhera (46) and Ishan Kishan (32).

Tim David’s 18ball 35, which included a 17run last over, gave the total some semblance of respectability.

MI’s top-order misfired as the visitor managed just 28 for 4 in the first six overs, the second-lowest powerplay score of this IPL.

While Rohit was sent back by left arm pacer Mohin Khan, Marcus Stoinis induced a fine edge with a

LSG players celebrate the wicket of Rohit Sharma

slow ball to get rid of Suryakumar Yadav.

MI slipped into further trouble when Ravi Bishnoi’s direct throw found inform Tilak Varma short of the crease.

Skipper Hardik Pandya then was out for a golden duck after poking at an away going delivery from Naveen Ul Haq, as MI slumped to 27 for 4 in 5.2 overs.

LSG used Stoinis well in the powerplay as his spell of three overs with the new ball yielded a wicket for 19.

Returning from injury, pace sensation Mayank Yadav could have had a wicket but Ashton Turner dropped Ishan Kishan at deep square leg. Kishan and Nehal Wadhera tried to steady the ship with their fifth wicket stand but LSG bowlers didn’t give much away as MI reached 68 for 4 in 12 overs.

BRIEF SCORES: MI 144/7 in 20 overs (N Wadhera 46) lost to LSG 145/6 in 19.2 overs (M Stoinis 62)