The IPL 2025 juggernaut rolls into Lucknow for Match 16 on April 4, as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) take on Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. LSG, riding a wave of home dominance, face an MI side desperate to turn their season around. With spin-friendly conditions and a history of tight battles, this clash is set to be a cracker! Here’s your complete guide—preview, stats, and fantasy picks—to nail this IPL thriller.
Match Preview
LSG are in solid shape, sitting fourth with two wins from three games (NRR +0.512). Their 20-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) showcased Mitchell Marsh’s blistering 63 and Ravi Bishnoi’s guile (2/25), though a high-scoring loss to Delhi Capitals (DC) exposed bowling frailties. At home, they’re a fortress—unbeaten in three of their last four at Ekana. MI, languishing ninth with one win from three (NRR -1.025), need a spark. A 7-wicket thrashing by Gujarat Titans (GT) highlighted batting woes, despite Suryakumar Yadav’s 48. Hardik Pandya’s men face a must-win scenario—can they upset LSG’s rhythm?
Venue Stats
Ekana Cricket Stadium has hosted 14 IPL matches, with teams batting first winning 8 (57.1%) and chasing sides taking 6. The average first-innings score is 166, but 2024 saw totals dip to 161 (first innings) and 171 (second), per CricTracker. LSG have won 8 of 11 here, including three of four vs MI. Highest total: Rajasthan Royals’ 199/3 (2024); lowest: Gujarat Titans’ 130 (2024). With a capacity of 50,000, expect a roaring crowd boosting LSG’s mojo!
Pitch Report
Ekana’s black-soil pitch is a slow burner—low bounce, favoring spinners as the game wears on. Pacers get early help, but it’s a grind for big totals; only one 200+ score in 14 games. In 2024, five matches saw teams batting first struggle to defend, yet LSG’s spin-heavy attack (Bishnoi, Krunal) thrives here. Expect a par of 160-170, with dew possibly aiding chasers later—toss could be king.
Weather Report
Lucknow’s forecast for April 4, 2025, per AccuWeather, is warm and clear—33°C at 7:30 PM IST, cooling to 28°C. Humidity at 25%, winds at 10-12 km/hr, and a 0% rain chance ensure uninterrupted play. Dew might creep in, tilting the second innings toward batters. A balmy night awaits—perfect for cricket!
Head-to-Head Stats
LSG and MI have clashed 6 times in IPL history. LSG lead 5-1, a stunning stat against the five-time champs. At Ekana, LSG have won three of four, including a 5-run thriller in 2024. Highest totals: LSG’s 214/6 (2024), MI’s 196/6 (same game). Lowest: MI’s 87/10 (2023). MI’s lone win came in 2023’s Eliminator, but LSG’s recent dominance—four straight since—makes them favorites.
Top Players to Pick for Fantasy Team
- Mitchell Marsh (LSG): Two fifties in three games (63 vs SRH)—an explosive opener at home.
- Nicholas Pooran (LSG): 75 off 29 vs MI in 2024—loves Eden’s pace, averages 40+ here.
- Suryakumar Yadav (MI): 48 off 28 vs GT—Wankhede form (1,200+ runs) translates anywhere.
- Ravi Bishnoi (LSG): 9 wickets at Ekana in 2024—spin wizard on this track.
- Jasprit Bumrah (MI): 14 wickets in 2024—early swing could disrupt LSG’s top order.
- Travis Head (SRH): Oops, wrong team! Instead, Hardik Pandya (MI): All-round potential, due for a big knock.
Probable Playing XI
- Lucknow Super Giants: Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav. (Impact: Shahbaz Ahmed)
- Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Tim David, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Mujeeb Ur Rahman. (Impact: Mitchell Santner) (Note: Bumrah’s fitness assumed intact; Santner replaces Raju if spin is prioritized.)
Suggested Playing XI for Dream11 Team (5 Options)
- Balanced XI:
- WK: Nicholas Pooran
- Bat: Suryakumar Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Tilak Varma
- AR: Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur
- Bowl: Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan
- Batting-Heavy:
- WK: Rishabh Pant
- Bat: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller
- AR: Hardik Pandya
- Bowl: Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar
- All-Round Focus:
- WK: Nicholas Pooran
- Bat: Suryakumar Yadav, Ayush Badoni
- AR: Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur, Tim David
- Bowl: Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, Trent Boult, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Spin-Dominant:
- WK: Rishabh Pant
- Bat: Mitchell Marsh, Tilak Varma
- AR: Hardik Pandya
- Bowl: Ravi Bishnoi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar
- Chase-Friendly:
- WK: Ryan Rickelton
- Bat: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Nicholas Pooran
- AR: Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur
- Bowl: Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Ravi Bishnoi
Captain and Vice-Captain Options
- Captain: Mitchell Marsh (LSG) – Blazing form, loves Ekana’s pace early on.
- Vice-Captain: Ravi Bishnoi (LSG) – Spin king at home, MI’s middle order vulnerable.
- Alternates: Suryakumar Yadav (MI) – Due for a big one; Jasprit Bumrah (MI) – Game-changer with the ball.
Probable Winners
LSG hold the upper hand—60% win probability per SportsTiger trends. Their 5-1 head-to-head edge, Ekana fortress (8/11 wins), and spin-heavy attack (Bishnoi, Thakur) suit the slow pitch. MI’s batting has firepower (Suryakumar, Rohit), but their bowling—sans Bumrah—struggles to defend here. Dew could aid chasers, but LSG’s recent form (two wins in three) trumps MI’s woes (one win). Prediction: LSG to win, especially if they bat first and set 170+. MI need a miracle—toss might decide!
