Rohit Sharma, Rickelton power Mumbai Indians to emphatic win over LSG
Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton powered Mumbai Indians to a six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants, chasing 229. Nicholas Pooran’s explosive innings went in vain as MI’s batting dominance sealed a crucial IPL victory
Mumbai: Rohit Sharma (84) made a gratifying return from an injury-enforced layoff and Ryan Rickelton (83) showcased his hitting prowess as Mumbai Indians crushed Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets in their Indian Premier League match here on Monday.
Openers Rohit and Rickelton put on their third century partnership in the IPL — this time 143 runs — laying the foundation for a much-needed win. MI overhauled LSG’s 228/5, finishing at 229/4 in 18.4 overs.
After Nicholas Pooran made the most of some ordinary bowling from MI with a 21-ball 63, Rohit and Rickelton dominated during their 65-ball stand.
The former Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit had missed five matches due to a hamstring injury sustained while batting against Royal Challengers Bengaluru here on April 12.
However, the 39-year-old showed no discomfort while smashing seven sixes and six fours during his 44-ball knock, while Rickelton continued his rich vein of form with commanding stroke play.
Rickelton fell to Mohsin Khan in the 11th over, playing one straight to cover after hitting two towering sixes earlier.
Rohit looked set for his third IPL century but top-edged impact substitute Manimaran Siddharth (2/47) to be caught at short fine leg in the 14th over.
Tilak Varma (11) failed to make an impact, while MI stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav (12) was once again caught near the ropes, creating some nervous moments for the hosts.
But Naman Dhir (23 not out) and Will Jacks (10 not out) completed the task.
In the PowerPlay, MI were not off to a flyer, but around 50 runs came in the first five overs. The hosts found momentum in the sixth when Avesh Khan was taken apart for 21 runs by Rohit.
Rickelton, who began with a six off Mohsin over deep square leg, lit up the chase with fluent stroke play against both pace and spin.
Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants rode on a whirlwind 20-ball 63 from Pooran to overcome a mid-innings slowdown and post a competitive 228/5.
Pooran capitalised on poor line and length from MI bowlers, smashing eight sixes and a four in his explosive knock, supported by Mitchell Marsh’s 44 (25 balls; 4x4s, 3x6s).
While Jasprit Bumrah (0/45) remained wicketless and overstepped thrice, Corbin Bosch (2/20) applied the brakes during the middle overs as LSG looked set to cross 240 at one stage.
An off-colour Bumrah struggled with his lengths and overstepped at crucial moments, conceding 21 runs in his fourth over.
Will Jacks also erred in line, allowing Pooran to capitalise with three massive sixes.
Pooran then attacked AM Ghazanfar, smashing two sixes and a four in the sixth over to power LSG to 90/1 in the PowerPlay — the joint second-highest total in that phase for any visiting side against MI here.
Pooran, who had gone 17 innings without a half-century, brought up his fifty in just 16 balls with a six off Rahul Chahar.
Pooran and Marsh added 94 runs for the second wicket in just 35 balls, taking LSG to 123/1 after eight overs.
However, Bosch turned the game with a double-wicket over, dismissing both Pooran and Marsh.
From 123/1, LSG slipped to 160/4 in 12 overs and it could have been 160/5 had Bumrah not overstepped when Himmat Singh (40 not out) was caught behind. Himmat later added an unbeaten 68-run stand with Aiden Markram (31 not out).
