After Mumbai Indians (MI) overcame Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), opener Ryan Rickelton lavished praise on the man at the other end, calling him “one of Mumbai’s greatest” and “one of India’s greatest.” Stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav, meanwhile, highlighted the entertainment Rohit Sharma brought to the Wankhede Stadium crowd as MI chased down a formidable target of 229 set by LSG, finishing the game with six wickets to spare.
Rohit, affectionately known as “Mumbai cha Raja,” had missed five matches because of a hamstring problem. But he returned with the kind of batting display that befits a franchise icon, powering the chase alongside Rickelton. The pair struck up an explosive partnership, with Rickelton smashing 84 off 44 deliveries, including six fours and seven maximums, as MI looked increasingly in control of the chase.
Speaking after the match, Player of the Match Rickelton reflected on the partnership and what it means to bat with Rohit. He said, “One of Mumbai’s greatest, one of India’s greatest. I really enjoy spending time out there. We are fortunate to get the wickets here. The Wankhede has been really good, and we’ve been able to dovetail quite nicely—putting bowlers under pressure at the right moments and helping each other along the way.”
Rickelton also pointed to the nature of the Wankhede pitch, noting that its pace and the way the ball comes off the bat make it a venue where scoring opportunities open up quickly. He added that the IPL has become especially ruthless in the way teams chase big totals these days, and suggested that strong starts play a decisive role. “The IPL is ridiculous in the way that these chases are being done nowadays,” he said. “Like Surya said, if you have a good start, it sets the platform. And I think that’s the trend in this team. We might not have lived up to it so far this year, but the power we have from number 3 down to 7, 8, 9—the batters, the class and the caliber—is through the roof. So if we can set a good platform and win the powerplay, it doesn’t mean my job is done, but with the class lined up behind, it makes my role a lot clearer.”
Suryakumar explained that once LSG got off to a solid start, it did not feel like MI were facing anything new, given they have encountered similar situations repeatedly during the season. He stressed that during the middle overs—particularly between overs seven and ten—bowlers can pull things back, which MI did by bringing Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh into the attack during the ninth over.
“The way all the bowlers responded, I think they showed a lot of character,” Suryakumar said. “About 8-9 overs, they were 110 or 120 for 1 or 2—at least, I don’t really remember. But then from there, pulling it to 162 for 5 in 16 overs, I think the performance was unbelievable. Everyone had belief, and they had clear plans. I didn’t tell them anything—there was just little, little backing in a few situations. But in the end, the character they showed and the way they bowled was commendable.”
He also referenced a recent high-scoring chase at the same ground, mentioning that MI had seen Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) successfully chase a total in the 240-odd range at Wankhede. That experience, Suryakumar said, helped reinforce the idea that 229 was attainable.
“The way we started our batting, Ryan Rickelton has been batting beautifully,” Suryakumar added. “And as I said, at the toss, our very own Rohit Sharma was coming back into the side—fit, ready, raring to go. The way he displayed himself and showed entertainment to the crowd was unbelievable. (On the opening stand) I think it’s always important to have a good start when you’re chasing 200-225. And the way they batted together, it looked like they were always in control. What the team required from them, they did the same thing. And then at the end, the way Naman Dhir and everyone batted—it was nice.”
In the points table, MI sit in ninth place with three wins and seven defeats, while LSG are at the bottom with two victories and seven losses.
Earlier, LSG set their challenge after MI opted to bowl first. Nicholas Pooran top-scored with 63 off 21 balls, striking a four and eight sixes, while Mitchell Marsh made 44 off 25 deliveries with six fours and three maximums. Himmat Singh contributed 40 not out from 31 balls, including two fours and two sixes, as LSG finished on 228/5.
MI then chased the target with ease, driven by a 143-run stand between Rickelton and Rohit. Rickelton struck 83 off 32 balls, hitting six fours and eight sixes, while Rohit produced 84 off 44 balls, with six fours and seven sixes. The chase was completed in 18.4 overs.
