Mumbai’s playoff dreams were already dashed, ensuring their exit. However, Mumbai was eager to secure a consolation win in their final match. Unfortunately, even this wish remained unfulfilled. The record IPL champions finished the season empty-handed, languishing at the bottom of the points table.
On Friday at Wankhede, Hardik Pandya’s team lost to Lucknow by 18 runs in their last match. Batting first, Lucknow posted 214 runs for 6 wickets, thanks to Nicholas Pooran’s 75 off 29 balls. In response, Mumbai fought but were bowled out for 196.
The outcome of this match did not alter the fate of either team, as both had already been eliminated. However, Lucknow Super Giants ended their campaign in sixth place with a consolation win.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Lucknow did not start well. Devdutt Padikkal was dismissed for a duck in the first over. Marcus Stoinis, who came in at number three, made a good start but couldn’t convert it into a big score, getting out for 28 off 22 balls.
Deepak Hooda, batting at number four, also departed quickly for 11 runs. However, captain Lokesh Rahul anchored the innings from one end. He and Nicholas Pooran put on a 109-run partnership in 44 balls for the fourth wicket, with Pooran being the dominant partner, scoring 75 off 29 balls.
The partnership was broken when Pooran was dismissed by Nuwan Thushara, having hit 5 fours and 8 sixes. Rahul was out in the 18th over after scoring 55 off 41 balls. Ayush Badoni (22* off 10 balls) and Krunal Pandya (12* runs) ensured Lucknow crossed the 200-mark. Piyush Chawla and Thushara each took 3 wickets for Mumbai.
Chasing 215, Mumbai had a promising start. Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis put on an 88-run partnership in 52 balls. However, once Brevis was out for 23, Mumbai’s innings began to crumble.
From 88 for no loss, they collapsed to 120 for 5 in 14.2 overs. Rohit, who scored a fifty in 28 balls, was dismissed for 68 off 38 balls. Suryakumar Yadav was out for a duck, and Ishan Kishan also failed to provide stability.
Captain Hardik Pandya and the middle-order batsmen’s failures seemed to set Mumbai up for a heavy defeat. However, towards the end, Namman Dheer provided some hope with an unbeaten 62 off 28 balls, reducing the margin of defeat.
Nonetheless, his effort was not enough to prevent Mumbai from finishing their season with a loss.
