Mumbai, India — In a thrilling Clash of the Titans, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) chose to bowl first after winning the toss against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2025 match at Wankhede Stadium on April 27. This marked Mayank Yadav‘s comeback after a back injury sidelined him for the first half of the season. He steps in for Shardul Thakur, who had only taken one wicket in three previous games.
Mayank became a fan favorite last season with his ability to clock speeds above 150kph and claiming seven wickets in just four games. However, his impressive run was cut short due to injury. Captain Rishabh Pant made clear his strategy, hoping the pitch conditions would improve in the second innings.
“It’s really hot out here, so we hope experience helps us manage the heat,” Pant said in the pre-match. MI’s captain, Hardik Pandya, shared similar sentiments, noting that water breaks would be vital as the afternoon sun triggers fatigue among players.
The Mumbai Indians came into the game riding a four-match winning streak. They also made two significant changes to the lineup. Corbin Bosch was handed his IPL debut, replacing Mitchell Santner, who was ruled out due to a finger injury. Meanwhile, Karn Sharma took Vignesh Puthur’s spot after the latter bowled just one over in the previous match.
In the heat of Mumbai, Yadav’s return was highly anticipated by fans. He was praised for his explosive debut last season where he recorded remarkable speeds and took three wickets in each of his first two matches against Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
“You feel it’s hot in Mumbai right now? Wait until this guy shows up,” teased LSG’s official Twitter account, highlighting Mayank’s return.
Yadav has seen national success, taking on international duties in India’s T20I series against Bangladesh post-injury, claiming three wickets in two matches. This game represents a crucial juncture for Yadav to regain form and demonstrate his capabilities.
On the other side, the Mumbai Indians retained their confidence from wins garnered through strategic performances. Senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah, while benched at the start, was listed as an Impact Player option, looking to contribute in the second innings.
The MI lineup, considered seasoned and battle-ready, featured a blend of established stars and upcoming talents. “We believe in our strategies and steps to keep the momentum,” Pandya expressed, anxious to extend the victories.
As both teams assembled at Wankhede Stadium, cricket fans eagerly awaited what this encounter would bring. Will Lucknow’s fiery pace lead them to victory, or will the Mumbai Indians continue to stampede the opposition?
