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Right then. What next for MI? They take on Rajasthan Royals in their quest for their 6th successive win, this time in Jaipur, on Thursday, 1st May, 2025. On the other hand, LSG have nearly a week's break, before they head north to Dharamsala, to meet the Punjab Kings on Sunday, 4th May, 2025. But we are not done yet. The second match of this Sunday double header is already underway in Delhi with RCB and DC trading blows. Do head over there to that matchcentre. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Who will bowl the final over? Will Hardik go to Boult or will he experiment with Chahar or himself?
Who will be given the honours? Digvesh or Mayank? Digvesh Singh comes in at number 11, replacing Ravi Bishnoi.
Meanwhile, news from Delhi is that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the toss and elected to chase against Delhi Capitals, in match number 46. Interesting thoughts from both captains, with Rajat Patidar citing the good nature of the wicket while Axar Patel saying that the wicket will slow down, so is happy to bat first. No Phil Salt for RCB, replaced by Jacob Bethell while for DC, Faf du Plessis returns.
Should be Bumrah with his hattrick ball. Or does Hardik have other ideas? Nope, it is Boom Boom.
Prince Yadav walks in next, at number 10, replacing Avesh Khan.
Avesh Khan walks in next at number 9, replacing Abdul Samad.
Into the bowlers now. Ravi Bishnoi walks in at number 8, replacing David Miller.
Abdul Samad walks in next at number 7, replacing Ayush Badoni.
Dear me? We are shown the replay of the last ball of the 14th over and guess what, UltraEdge picks up a spike as the ball is close to the bat! No wonder Badoni did not review for the wide.
STRATEGIC TIMEOUT. Lucknow Super Giants are fast approaching a do-or-die period in this chase. They got 60 in the Powerplay but have added only 74 in the next 8 overs. As a standalone, that is a good stat but when the required rate is close to 11 from the start, it is not good enough. With 82 needed from 36 balls, David Miller needs to revisit what his father used to say in his early playing days - 'If the ball is in Miller's arc, it is out of the park'. MI have been bowling excellently, using the dimensions of the boundaries to near perfection. They were struggling a touch in the Powerplay but once the ball has gotten older and softer, they have strut their skills. Will Jacks is turning out to be more than a handy part timer for this side. Here's Trent Boult again, trying to break this partnership and nip the chase in the bud. 2-0-12-1 so far.
In the IPL, Badoni bats at number 5 or lower but he can be promoted to number 4, where he averages 69.4 in T20s, with a strike rate of 136. Change of ends for Corbin Bosch. 1-0-6-0 so far.
Against LSG, Boult has bowled well in the past, with 9 wickets at an average of 18.7. Will Jacks is back on. 1-0-7-2 so far.
Surely, this is Miller time? Finally. In he comes, replacing Nicholas Pooran as the impact sub.
In the previous match against MI, Marsh had made a commanding 60. Meanwhile, Hardik brings back Trent Boult. 1-0-9-0 so far.
Ayush Badoni has been batting well this season. In the last game, he scored a 21-ball 36, which helped LSG reach a score of 159. Badoni has been consistent in the last three seasons and scored 200 runs or more in each season. In fact, this season he has played with a better average and strike rate. Time to have a look at the bowling angle of the debutant now - Corbin Bosch.
Chairperson and founder of the Reliance Foundation, Dhirubhai Ambani International School and a director of Reliance Industries, Ms Nita Ambani is up for a chat with Harsha Bhogle. On being asked about the match, Ms. Ambani says that this is not just a match. It is a celebration of hope, dreams and joy. Adds that it is MI's most-awaited match day of the entire season. Details that looking at the atmoshphere gives her thrills, with 19,000 children, coming from humble backgrounds, having a big experience to see a live match in a stadium. Adds that it is really overwhelming to see how the children are enjoying themselves. Also says that many of the Indian players have played for India and come from humble backgrounds. Feels that these kids can also dream about being what the players are today. Informs that one girl wants to be Jasprit Bumrah, while another wants to just shake hands with Rohit Sharma. Says that if their hopes and aspirations can be fulfilled, they can reach the stars. Is confident that this will be a cherished memory for a long time. On being asked about the ESA, Ms. Ambani says that the heart of the ESA is education and sports for all. Explains that children learn as much in a classroom as much in a sports field. Adds that today is a day of dream and hopes. Feels that one of them can become a Harmanpreet Kaur, or one can become a Rohit or someone can become a sports presenter cum anchor like Harsha Bhogle. Feels that with support and help, all children can reach the stars. Informs us that 19000 children have come today, with so many supervisors, 500 buses and maybe 1 lakh meals, citing the feedback from many that they loved the delicious food! Ends by saying that this match means a lot and is very very dear to her.
Now, is it time for the impact substitute? Still no. Ayush Badoni walks out at number 5, replacing his skipper, Rishabh Pant.
Impact substitute time? Not yet. In comes skipper Rishabh Pant at number 4, replacing Nicholas Pooran.
STRATEGIC TIMEOUT. Almost a mirror image of the first innings. Digvesh Singh conceded 19 in the final over of the Powerplay during LSG's bowling and Rishabh Pant called for a timeout immediately after the 6th over. Deepak Chahar goes for 20 in the final over of the fielding restrictions and Hardik Pandya has done the same here. Nothing much to choose between the two sides at this point - LSG are 60/1, while MI were 66/1. Actually, it has not been a bad bowling effort from MI. Out of 60, Deepak Chahar has gone for 38, but that too, 20 came in one over. Lucknow possess a deep batting lineup, but if truth be told, their batting has been revolving only around the top 3. If they are to chase this down, they would need the likes of Miller, Pant and Badoni to fire, with one batter batting deep. Time for spin. Here's Will Jacks.
Marsh had a contrasting start to his IPL 2025 campaign. Started with 4 fifties in his first 5 innings but scored just 79 runs in his last 3 innings.
In the previous game, Chahar had figures of 4-0-12-2 - which was his best economical spell in his IPL career.
Marsh has batted at a strike rate of 180 against pacers - the best for any batter in the tournament (Min. 100 balls).
Nicholas Pooran walks in next at number 3, replacing Aiden Markram.
Both, Boult and Chahar have taken more than 200 wickets in the IPL collectively and are known for their early swing bowling. But we see an early bowling change. Jasprit Bumrah has been called upon early today.
The camera pans on the MI dugout and one can see Suryakumar Yadav sitting there. Probably he is taking a breather, having batted for so long in the afternoon heat. Wonder how would the LSG batters be feeling, after spending more than the time spent by SKY, on the field.
Boult and Chahar have been the frontline pacers for MI this season, having picked up 18 wickets collectively. Here's Deepak Chahar from the other end.