Lucknow Super Giants suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator at Chepauk, Chennai on Wednesday. The bowlers, led by Naveen-ul-Haq (4/38), put up a valiant effort early on, taking wickets at regular intervals and keeping the Indians to a total of 182/8. 

However, the batters could not chase the total down, with the team all out for 101 in the 17th over. 

Though the Super Giants bowed out, it was another memorable campaign for the team. LSG started their IPL 2023 journey brightly but battled ups and downs in the middle phase of the league. KL Rahul’s injury and losses did not affect the team morale and they stormed into their second successive playoffs on the back of winning the final three games from difficult situations.

LSG’s never-say-die spirit was visible on Wednesday but Akash Madhwal’s jaw-dropping figures of 5-5 and three run-outs affected the chase and the team fell short by 81 runs.

Naveen ul Haq ‘cuts’ into Mumbai Indians

The offies, leg cutters, slower ones…Well, Naveen-ul-Haq’s buffet had plenty of variations on offer for the Mumbai Indians batters. Much to their disliking, of course.

The five-time champions were off to a good start, cruising at 29/0 in three overs. Rohit Sharma was just starting to open up but Naveen-ul-Haq, bowling from wide of the crease, did not offer elevation to the MI skipper, who ended up being caught out at extra cover.

Just when MI seemed to have recovered and were 98/2 in 10 overs, the Afghan pacer was brought back into the attack by skipper Krunal Pandya.

Naveen-ul-Haq responded to the call and deceived the ever-dangerous Surya Kumar Yadav with a leg cutter on his fourth delivery. Cameron Green followed SKY to the dugout in the same over after Naveen cleaned him up with an off-cutter. From 98/2, MI were reduced to 105/4.

At the death, Naveen accounted for Tilak Varma with a slower ball.

Yash Thakur keeps calm in death overs

Yash Thakur also took big wickets of Ishan Kishan and Tim David before getting the better of an on-song Nehal Wadhera in the final over. Yash Thakur returned with the figures of 3/34 from his four overs. 

Thakur picked up 13 wickets and was LSG’s second-highest wicket-taker this tournament only behind Ravi Bishnoi (16 wickets).

Lucknow Super Giants 101/10 - 16.3 overs (Marcus Stoinis 40, Akash Madhwal 5/5) lose to Mumbai Indians - 182/8 (Cameron Green 41, Naveen ul Haq 4/38, Yash Thakur 3/34) by 81 runs.