15 matches of IPL 2025 have been played, and now the 16th match will be held on April 4 at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. In this match, hosts Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will face Mumbai Indians (Mi). Both teams have played 3-3 matches so far and have won only one by one. However, Mumbai has made a strong comeback in the third match after losing the first two matches, which makes them fresh. Despite having equal marks in Lucknow in the points table, Mumbai is one place up. At the same time, LSG has come to her last match after losing badly to Punjab Kings at home. In such a situation, which team looks strong and which can win this match? Let’s analyze.
8 crore bowler entry
The team of Lucknow was playing without their leading bowlers from the very first match of this season, which has also suffered a loss. But now Akash Deep, purchased for 8 crores, is fit and he is ready to show his speed and swing in the Ekana Stadium against Mumbai. His return will give a lot of strength to LSG’s bowling unit.
After losing the first domestic match, Mentor Zaheer Khan expressed his anger on the pitch. But with the involvement of Akash Deep, this problem of Lucknow can also be overcome. In any case, the team will defeat Mumbai and try to register the first win at their home. At the same time, Mumbai will once again be in search of victory on the strength of its young players.
Head-to-head record: LSG dominates
Talking about thehead-to-head record between Lucknow and Mumbai, LSG’s upper hand is heavy in it. There have been 6 matches between the two teams so far, out of which Lucknow has won 5, while Mumbai has won only 1 match. There have also been two matches between the two teams in the Ekana Stadium, and both times LSG has won. Last time when this collision took place here, LSG won the match by achieving 144 runs at 7 wickets in the final over.
- LSG’s biggest score: 214 runs
- LSG’s shortest score: 101 runs
- Mi’s biggest score: 196 runs
- Mi’s shortest score: 132 runs
Ekana Stadium record
So far 15 IPL matches have been played at Ekana Stadium. In this ground,
- Team winning first batting: 7 matches
- First bowling team win: 8 matches
- Largest score: 235 runs (KKR against LSG, 2024)
- The shortest score: 108 runs (LSG against RCB, 2023)
- The biggest successful run-day: 199/3 (Rajasthan Royals against LSG, 2024)
How is the pitch of Lucknow?
The pitch of the Ekana stadium is black clay, which is usually slow and makes it difficult to score. However, before the 2023 ODI World Cup, this ground and pitch were re -prepared, after which the boom has increased and some big scores have been seen here. Nevertheless, big scores are rarely seen here compared to the second venue.
- Out of the last 6 IPL matches, the teams who chased the target 5 times have won.
- There is no possibility of dew during the match, which can help the bowlers.
Potential playing-11 and impact all
Lucknow Super Giants: Mitchell Marsh, Eden Markram, Nicholas Puran, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper/captain), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Deep.
Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (captain), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minj, Ryan Ricelton (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Trent Bolt, Deepak Chahar, Vignesh Puthur.