Nicholas Pooran rediscovered his destructive best as Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on Monday, May 4, burst into life. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter looked unstoppable in the middle, launching Will Jacks into the stands with a brutal three-six over that immediately shifted the momentum in LSG’s favour.
The defining moment came in the fifth over. Jacks tossed one up, and Pooran wasted no time, sending the ball soaring over long-on for a 91-metre six. He was not done there. Pooran followed it up with back-to-back maximums, clearing deep square leg and then flying one behind square to leave MI under serious pressure.
It was the kind of power-hitting that reminded everyone why he remains one of the most feared finishers in the IPL. Nicholas Pooran’s return to form could not have come at a better time. Before this knock, he had managed only 82 runs in eight innings, striking at just 81.19, a surprisingly quiet phase for a player of his calibre.
WATCH – Wankhede Crowd Erupts As Rohit Sharma Returns At Toss For MI vs LSG Clash
LSG had backed him heavily, retaining him for a massive INR 21 crore ahead of the 2026 auction, and this innings was a timely reminder of his match-winning value. He also found strong support from Mitchell Marsh after Josh Inglis fell early.
Putting the Wankhede crowd on catch-practice duty 🚀
🎥 Nicholas Pooran is operating on a completely different planet tonight 🪐
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/elXSOvaeig #TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #MIvLSG pic.twitter.com/KsyFOCTSn1
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2026
The two put LSG in control with a fluent partnership, while Pooran raced to his first half-century of the season in just 21 balls. His 63 off 21 deliveries, decorated with eight sixes and a boundary, reflected complete authority at the crease.
At the time of writing, LSG were 123/2 after 8.1 overs, with Marsh on 44 off 24 and Rishabh Pant newly at the crease. With a big score on offer, the Super Giants will want to push hard, especially after Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down 244 at the same venue in the previous game.
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The stakes remain high for both sides. LSG, with just two wins in eight matches, are stuck at the bottom end of the table, while MI are also under pressure after winning only two of their nine games. Rohit Sharma’s return offers Mumbai some hope, but Hardik Pandya’s absence through back spasms has further complicated their challenge.
