The five-times title holder MI continued their away struggles in IPL 2025 with a 12-run defeat to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday. Despite a strong performance from Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, MI fell short of the target. LSG posted a challenging 203/8, and MI, despite Pandya’s unbeaten 28 off 16 balls and Yadav’s 67 from 43 balls, was restricted to 191/5 in their chase.
Pandya, who had earlier made a mark with the ball by claiming his maiden T20 five-wicket haul, had a fantastic individual outing. However, his efforts were overshadowed by a brilliant death bowling display from LSG, especially Avesh Khan, who bowled a superb final over. With MI needing 22 runs in the last over, Hardik hit a six off the first ball, bringing the target down to 16 off 5 balls. But Avesh Khan, known for his death bowling skills, conceded just three runs off the next five balls, sealing the win for LSG. This loss marked MI’s third consecutive defeat away from home in IPL 2025, leaving them with a tough challenge ahead.
Rohit Sharma gives captaincy lesson to Suryakumar Yadav, Ignores Hardik Pandya
Rohit Sharma, who was unavailable for the game due to a knee injury, made an unexpected appearance during a crucial moment in the same Mumbai Indians versus LSG game in IPL 2025. With LSG’s openers Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram dominating, Rohit walked onto the field during a timeout to give some advice. What caught attention was that he was seen giving captaincy tips to Suryakumar Yadav, rather than to Hardik Pandya, the team’s current captain.
Pandya had mentioned at the toss that Rohit was injured during a net session, which kept him out of the playing XI. In the absence of their former captain, MI struggled with the ball. Marsh set the tone early with a blistering 27-ball fifty, finishing with 60 runs, while Markram played a composed knock of 53 runs, marking his maiden fifty for LSG. Ayush Badoni (30) and David Miller (27) also contributed valuable runs, helping LSG reach a total of 203/8.
MI’s bowlers were under pressure throughout the innings, but Hardik Pandya stood out with the ball, claiming his maiden T20 five-wicket haul. However, despite his efforts, Mumbai Indians couldn’t contain the LSG batsmen, and the game slipped away.
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Internal Politics in Mumbai Indian Players or Failed Captaincy?
In the previous few years, the mighty Mumbai Indians have looked to loss their vigour. On top of that, the captaincy shift from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya was like salt in the wound for Mumbai Indians players.
In the words of former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan, “Cricket is a game where captaincy and management is crucial and MI at the moment are not playing as a team and that’s the biggest talking point of the season for MI. It is important for the players to accept their captain and I don’t think it has happened for MI this season.” Pathan noted as Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik Pandya failed to lead the side in the previous season.
However, it looks like, mumbai indians players are yet to accept the change and, hence, fall short in every game. Hardik Pandya, as a player has been in exceptional form so far in the IPL 2025. But it has proved out to be not enough for the team. Currently, the lies of the eighth position in the IPL 2025 points table.
Having said that, we have seen Pandya take Gujarat Titans to victory in their maiden season and to the finals in the next. Hence, saying that he is a failed captain wouldn’t be fair.
What’s Ahead for Mumbai Indians?
This is a team that has won five Indian Premier League titles, it has the India captain and vice-captain in its ranks, it also has the world’s best T20I batter (by the ICC rankings) and the world’s top bowler is set to join them soon. So Mumbai Indians players and management will hopeful to overcome the challenges and move ahead in the tournament with an energised mindset with Jasprit Bumrah joining the team soon.