LSG vs MI, 26th Match at Mumbai, IPL, Apr 16 2022 - Match Result

Thanks for tuning in. In case you haven't already, head over to RCB vs DC for ESPNcricinfo's continued live coverage of the IPL. I am Ekanth, signing off on behalf of my fellow commentator, Deivarayan Muthu, and our scorer, M Venkat Raghav.

KL Rahul, LSG Captain, is the Player of the Match for his 103* (60). He says it's a special day and a special hundred. Says he wasn't among the runs but the pitch was good and make the most of it. He feels the day games without dew are different, the bowlers were really clear and we need to be clear with the plans. That's the takeaway from our wins. The batters need to settle in and not collapse. (Areas of improvement) The batters haven't done well in the powerplay at times. Keeping the opposition quiet early in their innings would help. I don't look at oppositions differently, they are a champion side that's competitive. But I don't do much different. (On the new teams being at the top) We have played well, we need to be humble and keep learning. The team is brilliant and I enjoy spending time with them, creating a team that was comfortable was something we looked for in the auction.

Marcus Stoinis: It was a great game with a lot of twists after we thought we had it. I was looking at the scores at the end and can't say I was fully willing to bowl. KL controlled the innings, he stood up well. Quinton got us off to a flier and the others chipped in. So far, so good. Limited meetings help me, the players are building well in a relaxed environment. (On his role) We have to figure things out, it was different today from the last game. I'm okay to do with whatever's asked of me. It was closer than expected, we've had a few close games but fighting till the end and winning them will count.

Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians Captain: Not building partnerships cost us, it was not a moment. We tried to put the team before the individual, so we tried to keep the key bowlers in the back-end but it did not workout, despite him bowling well. The others need to pull up their socks. We try and find combinations and playing XIs that work but we can't do it after losses. It depends on the opposition but losses make it difficult. Sometimes, the opposition's game must be applauded, as was the case with Rahul. If I know what's going wrong, I'd correct it but it's not coming off. But I do take responsibility but I will look to use my experience and we hope to come back again as a team too.

Hari: "Are MI out of playoffs?" All but out, there might be outside chances but they will have to depend on other results going their way. Here is the Points Table for your reference.

Joe: "The misfields are coming back to bite MI. That seems to be the difference between the two team"

7:32 pm: Mumbai Indians succumb to their sixth consecutive loss, probably the first of the kind since RCB's horror start in 2019. The chase started decently but quick wickets pushed them back. Brevis and Yadav got going but they could not carry on. Pollard tried to pull off an unlikely heist but failed. For Lucknow, Avesh and Bishnoi bowled well, the three wickets from the former were timely. Krunal and Stoinis executed the fifth bowler's job in the middle overs. The death bowling came good despite the late flourish, they will look to go from strength to strength.

26 needed off the last over. Pollard is the man on strike, is the MIracle win on or can LSG tower over, courtesy Chameera who starts around the wicket

Holder starts from over the wicket after a long discussion with the skip. Third man and point are in, so is short fine-leg and a straight long-on. All the fielders in the deep are in front.

Avesh ends with 3 for 30 off his excellent spell.

47 needed now from 14, Pollard needs to finish this off. Can he get support? Can Lucknow hold onto their nerves?

Gautam: "Has Pollard hit a six in this IPL? So far he's looked like the Punjab Maxwell" He's got a few. Here's Ask Cricinfo to help out.