The IPL 2025 season heats up as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) lock horns with Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 16th match of the tournament. Scheduled for April 4 at 7:30 PM IST, the battle will take place at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Both teams are looking to gain momentum, having had a mixed start to their campaign.
Currently, LSG sits in sixth place on the points table, while MI is slightly ahead at fifth. Both teams have played three matches so far, securing just one victory each. With playoff ambitions in mind, this encounter is crucial for both sides to climb up the standings.
Lucknow Super Giants come into this game after a disappointing eight-wicket loss to Punjab Kings. Despite a fighting 44-run knock from Nicholas Pooran, LSG struggled to put up a challenging total. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, are riding high after a dominant eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders. Ryan Rickelton’s classy 62-run innings and Ashwani Kumar’s four-wicket haul were instrumental in MI’s victory.
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Historically, LSG has had the upper hand in this rivalry, winning five of the six previous encounters against MI. However, with both teams desperate for points, this promises to be a high-stakes battle where momentum and execution will be key. Fans can expect a thrilling contest as two power-packed sides face off under the Lucknow lights.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Akash Deep has rejoined the squad, while Mayank Yadav continues his recovery at BCCI’s newly established Centre of Excellence (COE). Akash expressed optimism about Mayank’s return, stating he could be back “soon.” Meanwhile, Avesh Khan has a strong track record against Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, making him a key player for LSG. If he struggles with the new ball, Ravi Bishnoi could step in, having dismissed Rohit thrice in six innings and Suryakumar Yadav three times in seven.
Probable XII: 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, Prince Yadav/Akash Deep
Mumbai Indians (MI)
For the Mumbai Indians, targeting Rishabh Pant with spin early could be crucial. The LSG captain has struggled this season, scoring just 17 runs at a strike rate of 65.38, with his record against spin particularly poor—just six runs off 13 balls with two dismissals.
Probable XII: 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, Vignesh Puthur/Satyanarayana Raju
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Nicholas Pooran (c), Rishabh Pant, Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (vc), Aiden Markram, Will Jacks, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Nicholas Pooran, Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav (vc), Mitchell Marsh (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Aiden Markram, Will Jacks, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult
