Rishabh Pant Struggles Continue as Mumbai Indians
The IPL 2025 Match 45 at Wankhede Stadium on April 27 turned into a nightmare for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as Mumbai Indians (MI) delivered a commanding 54-run victory, leaving fans in disbelief. A viral X post by @Branded_Tweet, captioned “Rishabh Rajendra Pant play cricket today’s, Don’t scroll down without liking this tweet!! #RishabhPant #MIvsLSG,” had set high expectations for LSG captain Rishabh Pant, but his dismal performance only fueled growing frustration among fans.
Mumbai Indians Set a Daunting 215/7 with Rickelton and Yadav’s Firepower
MI posted a formidable 215/7 in their 20 overs, driven by explosive half-centuries from Ryan Rickelton (58 off 32 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (54 off 28 balls). Rickelton’s aggressive intent in the powerplay, coupled with Yadav’s flair in the middle overs, set the tone for MI’s innings. Yadav’s knock also marked a personal milestone, pushing him past 4,000 IPL runs and earning him the Orange Cap with 427 runs in 10 innings, overtaking LSG’s Nicholas Pooran (377 runs) and RCB’s Virat Kohli (392 runs). Despite an early breakthrough from LSG’s Mayank Yadav, who dismissed Rohit Sharma (12 off 5 balls), MI’s batting depth proved too much for LSG’s bowlers to handle.
LSG’s Chase Falters as Pant Falls for Just 4 Runs
LSG’s chase began with promise as Nicholas Pooran (27 off 15) and Mitchell Marsh (34 off 24) powered them to 60/1 in the powerplay. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the seventh over when MI’s Will Jacks struck twice, dismissing Pooran and Pant in quick succession. Pant, scoring just 4 runs off 2 balls, fell to a sharp delivery, continuing his poor form in IPL 2025. Fans on X didn’t hold back, with @cidqwert venting, “Le bhai Teri Hero Chutiya Captain 4 bna kar out fir se.” Pant, who became the most expensive player in IPL history after LSG shelled out INR 27 crore in the 2025 auction, is under immense scrutiny, a far cry from his IPL 2018 heroics when he scored 684 runs at an average of 52.61 for Delhi Capitals.
Bumrah and Boult Shine as MI Secure Fifth Straight Win
MI’s bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, was relentless in dismantling LSG’s batting lineup. Bumrah’s fiery spell of 4/22, including three wickets in a single over, broke the backbone of LSG’s middle order, while Trent Boult added 3 wickets to seal the deal. LSG crumbled to 161, handing MI their fifth consecutive victory of the season. This win propelled MI to second on the IPL 2025 points table with 12 points, while LSG languished in sixth, their playoff hopes fading fast.
Wankhede Roars with ESA Day Celebrations Amid LSG’s Tactical Woes
The match wasn’t just about cricket—it doubled as MI’s Education and Sports for All (ESA) Day, backed by the Reliance Foundation. Wankhede Stadium turned into a sea of blue with 19,000 children cheering for MI, creating an electric atmosphere. However, LSG’s tactical errors drew sharp criticism online. Fans like @AryanRajvansh17 highlighted the team’s confusion over the impact player rule and Mayank Yadav’s deployment, with the management unsure if the pacer could bowl a full four overs after his injury layoff. @Branded_Tweet even suggested Pant “should retire asap,” echoing the growing discontent among LSG supporters.
What’s Next for Pant and LSG in IPL 2025?
Rohit Sharma, despite his early dismissal, showed glimpses of his form this season, having smashed two sixes with his signature pull shot earlier in the innings. As MI’s joint-most successful captain with five IPL titles, his leadership continues to shine. Meanwhile, the IPL 2025 action continued with Delhi Capitals facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru later in Delhi, where fans expected a tight contest with scores around 184 to 190. For LSG, Pant’s ongoing struggles raise serious questions—can he rediscover his 2018 magic, or will his form define LSG’s season?