IPL 2025 | Can Mumbai Indians make it five in a row?

Spin-factor: Bishnoi and Digvesh will have to step up against the MI batting might.
| Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

Mumbai Indians, after a usual slow start to the season, has switched into top gear in no time.

Thanks to their four-match winning run, Hardik Pandya’s men have been catapulted into the top four for the first time since he took over ahead of IPL 2024.

Come Sunday, MI will be hoping to make it a perfect five by overcoming Rishabh Pant’s Lucknow Super Giants. But the task will be easier said than done. After all, never has MI defeated LSG in a league match in the previous three editions.

Even on current form, with LSG hovering around the qualification mark for most of the tournament, the host will have its task cut out.

MI will be hoping for Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult to account for LSG’s top-three overseas batters so that Jasprit Bumrah can be used in the middle and death overs.

Mitchell Marsh has been consistent, Aiden Markram has flourished as the tournament has progressed, and Nicholas Pooran has had a bit of a dip after a sensational start.

Nicholas Pooran.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI

LSG will be banking on the top three to fire on a fresh Wankhede Stadium pitch – the centre wicket that will be used for the first time this season.

For MI, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have found form, thus making the opposition bowling attack mediocre over the last week. If spinners Digvesh Rathi and Ravi Bishnoi can contain them, the visitor will give itself a good chance.

Mumbai Indians’ Rohit Sharma.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI

Meanwhile, suspense lingered over Mayank Yadav’s availability for Sunday’s game. The pacer was seen at LSG’s training on Friday but wasn’t at the ground on Saturday.