Lucknow Super Giants take on Mumbai Indians in a key clash of IPL 2025. Both teams have played three games, and won one each. But purely from a results perspective, one appears to be in a much stronger position than the other. While Mumbai won their last game, making it easy to assume they’re in better form, their performance was genuinely impressive in many ways. Their planning was meticulous—there was strong cohesion in captaincy, well-thought-out bowling changes, and precise field placements that perfectly aligned with the bowlers’ strategies.
MI won their last game on an excellent pitch, which was very well-prepared—and it required smart planning and disciplined bowling to make an impact.
The big talking point for Lucknow, of course, is Rishabh Pant—how they can maximize his potential and what role suits both him and the franchise best. If it were up to me, I’d have him open the batting, slot an anchor at No. 4, and give him the freedom to play his natural attacking game, play with confidence, and take the initiative—get to the ball early and set a
strong foundation to build on. That is absolutely crucial. A team is at its most vulnerable when its captain is struggling, as it brings added noise and pressure into the dressing room. Every player looks to their captain not just for leadership in team talks but for inspiration through performance on the field.
It’s still early in the season, so there’s no need for panic. While there may be panic around the team, I doubt there’s any within it. Naturally, there will be some concern—he’s playing like someone feeling the weight of expectation, a bit tense under pressure. That’s understandable when stepping into a big role with a new franchise, especially with significant investment in him as a player and the added responsibility of leading the team.
Pressure is inevitable, but this is where good management becomes crucial. Justin Langer is an excellent coach, and I expect Zaheer Khan to play a key role in supporting Rishabh Pant—guiding him, encouraging him, and helping him find the best way to rediscover his top form in white-ball cricket, something he hasn’t quite reached in a while.
Rishabh is also a player eager to regain his place in India’s white-ball squad, so there’s a lot weighing on his mind right now. That’s why someone like Zaheer could play a crucial role in supporting him—offering guidance, encouragement, and helping him unlock his best game. That said, aside from Rishabh’s situation, LSG’s overall performance in the last game was quite disappointing.
I heard their post-match interview where they mentioned wanting to play on a slow pitch, but I’m not convinced. While teams don’t always have complete control over pitch
conditions, LSG’s biggest strength is their batting lineup—especially their top five or six. Ideally, they should be playing on a flat, true surface that allows their key batters to dictate the game. A slow pitch doesn’t seem like the best option, but they saw it differently.
Maybe it was a strategy specifically for playing against Punjab Kings. But in the end, they were out-batted, out-bowled, and outplayed. Punjab are a strong side, no doubt, but 171 felt under par. It wasn’t a terrible total, but it fell short of what was needed. Had LSG bowled anywhere near the level they did against SRH, where they were outstanding, things might have been different. So far, they’ve been a bit unpredictable.
LSG have had some great moments, particularly in that game against SRH, where they got so many things right. But since then, they’ve lost some momentum. There are still positives to build on, but they need key players like Mayank Yadav and Akash Deep to regain full fitness to strengthen their bowling attack. Equally important is Ravi Bishnoi, who has been surprisingly ineffective so far. Given his experience and reputation as a top-class white ball bowler in the IPL, they’ll be hoping he can find his form soon.
He’s been far from his best, and overall, LSG have struggled with the ball. They need conditions that support their batting strength.
As for Mumbai, as I mentioned earlier, they were outstanding. After losing a couple of games, they faced pressure at home, and they delivered. It’s easy to say that Mumbai are expected to win at home but handling that expectation and performing under pressure are two different things—and they did it brilliantly.
Mumbai were truly impressive. After losing a couple of games, they faced significant pressure at home. While people expect them to win there, it’s never that straightforward— there was a lot riding on that performance, and they handled it well.
If there’s one concern, it’s Rohit Sharma. He needs runs. It’s not time to panic—it’s still early in the season—but his struggles seem more mental than technical. He hasn’t suddenly lost his ability; he’s a brilliant player. Not long ago, he was scoring runs effortlessly. Sometimes, it just comes down to simplifying things—watch the ball, trust your instincts, and let the game flow naturally. Sometimes, it’s just about watching the ball and letting instincts take over. Rohit Sharma has incredible talent and is a phenomenal ball-striker. But when the mind starts drifting in different directions, it can take away from that natural rhythm.
As for Ryan Rickelton, I thought he was sensational. He had a tough start with the ball moving around a bit, but he showed great awareness and adaptability. He seems like a
smart, realistic cricketer—quick to learn, open to listening, watching, and improving. What’s fascinating is that, despite never having played in India before, he already seems to have a sharp understanding of the conditions.
As a wicketkeeper standing behind the stumps, you get a quick sense of what works and what doesn’t by watching your bowlers in action. Rickelton seems to be using that perspective wisely, formulating smart plans both as a keeper and a batter. Given that he’s never played in India before, his adaptability has been impressive.
Meanwhile, Surya Kumar Yadav looks in phenomenal form. One of the biggest positives for Mumbai Indians is him. He has hit form and found his rhythm remarkably quickly in the tournament, which is great news for them.
The only lingering question is who should bat at No. 3. Personally, I’d back Tilak Varma for that spot. So far, they’ve alternated between Will Jacks and Varma. Against GT, they seemed keen to include Mujeeb Ur Rahman, likely because they expected spin to play a major role. In another game, Jacks bowled his full quota of overs. It’s unclear if the batting order shuffle is linked to the decision between Mujeeb and Jacks, but it’s something to watch. It could simply be a tactical decision on who bats at No. 3. Watching Varma in the England series, I feel he’s well-suited for that role, with Suryakumar slotting in at No. 4.
Jacks has a role to play—he’s a versatile asset to the team. And then there’s Ashwani Kumar, whose debut was nothing short of outstanding. His success is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to Mumbai Indians’ exceptional scouting system. For a young player to make such an immediate impact in a high-pressure game was truly remarkable to watch.
Ashwani Kumar’s performance truly set up the victory. As I’ve mentioned before, Boult and Santner are outstanding cricketers, and for me, they complete the puzzle for Mumbai Indians.
