The 45th match of IPL 2025 promises a thrilling showdown as Mumbai Indians (MI) take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, April 27. The afternoon fixture kicks off at 3:30 PM IST, with MI entering the contest riding high on a four-match winning streak. Mumbai, five-time IPL champions, have yet to defeat LSG at home — a surprising record they’ll be desperate to change.
With momentum firmly on their side, MI will look to extend their winning run to five matches and tighten their grip on the playoff spots. Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency this season. However, they hold the psychological edge of having already beaten Mumbai once in IPL 2025. Another victory could reignite their faltering campaign and breathe life into their playoff hopes.
Key players to watch for Mumbai include Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Deepak Chahar. For LSG, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Shardul Thakur are expected to make a major impact. The weather in Mumbai looks perfect for cricket, with clear skies and temperatures hovering in the early 30s Celsius — ideal conditions for a high-scoring encounter.
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Several player battles add extra spice to the clash. Mitchell Marsh’s aggressive batting will face Deepak Chahar’s new-ball threat, while Shardul Thakur will aim to test Rohit Sharma’s rediscovered form. Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran’s explosive strokeplay will go head-to-head against Jasprit Bumrah’s deadly accuracy.
#1 Mitchell Marsh vs Deepak Chahar
The clash between Mitchell Marsh and Deepak Chahar could be crucial in shaping the innings. Marsh has been in explosive touch this season, consistently providing strong starts for LSG. However, he will face a stern test against Chahar, who has rediscovered his rhythm with the ball. In his last outing against SRH, Chahar was clinical, giving away just 12 runs and taking two wickets. His ability to swing the new ball early could be key in stopping Marsh from setting the foundation for a big LSG total.
#2 Rohit Sharma vs Shardul Thakur
After a sluggish start to IPL 2025, Rohit Sharma has found his mojo again, slamming two commanding half-centuries in recent matches. His unbeaten 76 against Chennai Super Kings and a fluent 70 against LSG underlined his return to peak form. With confidence on his side, Rohit will be eyeing another big score. Lucknow will look towards Shardul Thakur, who knows Mumbai’s conditions well from his domestic cricket experience, to halt Rohit’s charge early and swing the momentum in LSG’s favour.
#3 Nicholas Pooran vs Jasprit Bumrah
Nicholas Pooran, known for his game-changing abilities, started IPL 2025 in blistering fashion but has struggled for consistency lately. Despite his recent dip, he remains a serious threat to Mumbai Indians. MI will turn to their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah to keep Pooran quiet. Bumrah’s deadly yorkers and variations could be the perfect weapon to ensure the LSG southpaw doesn’t rediscover his destructive best in this crucial encounter.
