Lucknow Super Giants are back where they were last year - the Eliminator. 

The opposition this time? Five-time champions Mumbai Indians, who know a thing or two about doing well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs. The match will be played at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, starting at 7:30 PM IST.

The thing with LSG though is that they are coming into the playoffs after getting accustomed to high pressure, pulling off three successive wins from difficult positions. One of those three came against the Mumbai Indians not long ago. 

MI were 82/0 in nine overs chasing 173. Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur and Ravi Bishnoi applied the brakes and helped LSG win by 5 runs. 

Before that, MI beat SRH despite needing 69 of the last five overs on a slow wicket. Nicholas Pooran’s 44 off 13 took the team over the line after crucial knocks from Marcus Stoinis and Prerak Mankad. New day…new match…a new hero!

In LSG’s last league game against KKR, spinners came in handy in the middle overs as they defended a par 176 at Eden Gardens. Even a strong start from Jason Roy and a stronger end by Rinku Singh proved insufficient for KKR as LSG triumphed by one run. 

LSG concluded the league stage being third on the points table with 17 points. MI, meanwhile, came fourth with 16 points. 

Super Giants to watch out for

LSG made it to the IPL playoffs for the second year in a row on the back of its strong core. The group endured a season of ups and downs and will now be looking to make a statement. 

The team has been led well by captain Krunal Pandya in the absence of KL Rahul. His bowling changes have been accurate, helping the team win many close matches. KP, along with the backroom brains of GG and Andy, will once again be crucial come Wednesday. 

Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran will play critical roles of dreaded finishers while QDK will look to provide a strong start. Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya will look to find some turn on a Chepauk track that has plenty for spinners. Remember, the likes of Prerak Mankad and Ayush Badoni will be eager to step up on a big day.

Peek into MI Camp

Rohit Sharma is batting with new vigour and there will be always the fear looming over from SKY. Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Tim David…the batting list runs long…

Akash Madhwal, with his accuracy, will look to do damage with the ball. 

LSG vs MI head-to-head

Mumbai Indians are five-time champions but against the might of the Super Giants, they are winless. LSG had to work hard for a five-run win on May 16. In IPL 2022, however, LSG cruised to an 18-run win in the first encounter and beat MI by 36 runs in the second. The boys will look to add one more to the winning streak.

Match details

Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians, Eliminator

Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Time: May 24, 7.30 PM IST