The State of Play
Mumbai Indians face Lucknow Super Giants in Friday’s IPL 2024 clash in what could be both teams’ final game of the season.
The Indians’ season came to an end a while ago in terms of the standings. They remain rooted to the bottom of the table on eight points, winning just four of their games this season.
Read our other sports news stories:
John Fury left bloodied after headbutting member of Usyk camp
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk: Preview, how to watch, full card and prediction
Woods not feeling sharp ahead of US PGA Championship
For LSG, they are relying on other results to go their way to make it into the play-offs.
They are currently seventh on 12 points, but four teams above them are within touching distance, with third-placed Chennai Super Kings on 14.
The team – led by KL Rahul – looked to be galloping towards the next stage of the tournament following their performances in the first half of the season, but three defeats in a row have put their position in jeopardy.
Most recently they fell to Delhi Capitals, who scored a 19-run win last Tuesday.
It was a decisive match in the race for the play-offs but LSG did not get going on the field after opting to bowl first.
18+ Gambling Can Be Addictive. Please Play Responsibly. BeGambleAware GamStop Gambling Commission
Naveen-ul-Haq took two wickets at the expense of 51 runs and Ravi Bishnoi alongside Arshad Khan took the other two for a combined run total of 71 as DC set a score of 208/4.
In the chase, only two batsmen ever looked capable of making something happen.
Nicholas Pooran went for 61 from 27 balls and Khan was just behind him with 58.
At the end of the 20 overs, LSG were still behind by 19 runs and failed to begin their charge towards the top of the table.
It was a similar story for MI who were undone by Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday.
Now ▶️: 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝘅 𝗙𝘂𝗿𝘆 😎🤙#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/bPyAmeX3ry
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 16, 2024
Like LSG, the Indians opted to bowl first and the IPL’s second-placed KKR set a score of 157, which was too much for the visitors to chase down.
Opener Ishan Kishan scored 40 and Tilak Varma went for 32, while Piyush Chawla and Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets each in the bowling.
Mumbai were one of the favourites to win the IPL at the start of the season but the team have failed miserably under Hardik Pandya’s leadership.
It appears there is a rift growing between some of the players but they will have the chance to end the campaign on a high in front of their home fans.
Expected line-ups
Mumbai Indians: Desai (wk), Sharma, Yadav, Varma, Pandya (c), David, Tendulkar, Kamboj, Chawla, Bumra, Thushara
Lucknow Super Giants: Rahul (c), Mayers, Stoinis, Hooda, Pooran (wk), Pandya, Charak, Khan, Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Khan
One with the LSG Brigade 🤳 pic.twitter.com/WfF0BpPqzi
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 16, 2024
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the IPL to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Friday’s match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket from 2.50pm BST.
In India, the games can be streamed on the Jio Cinema app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
Prediction
With it looking very unlikely that the Super Giants progress, it may be the perfect opportunity for the Indians to record their fifth win of the season.
In front of a home crowd, the five-time champions have nothing to lose and are simply playing for pride.
For that reason, we are going for a Mumbai Indians win.
