Mumbai: Rishabh Pant admitted Lucknow Super Giants fell short by “10–15 runs” after their six-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians in a high-scoring Indian Premier League clash on Monday.
Despite posting a formidable 228/5, LSG could not defend the total as Mumbai chased it down with eight balls to spare, powered by brilliant knocks from Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton.
“We were short by 10–15 runs”
Reflecting on the loss, Pant pointed to missed opportunities with the bat as a key factor.
“The way we started, I think we should have gotten more runs… we were short by 10–15 runs because it was a 220–230 wicket for sure.”
LSG had a strong platform early in the innings, but failed to fully capitalise, allowing Mumbai’s bowlers to pull things back in the middle overs.
Pant also acknowledged that conditions favoured the opposition bowlers, who were more familiar with the surface.
Bowlers not to blame
While defending a 200-plus total often brings bowlers under scrutiny, Pant chose to back his attack.
“On a wicket like this, you can’t blame bowlers all the time… they’ve been doing a fantastic job for us.”
His comments suggest that the defeat was more about marginal batting shortfalls than bowling failures, especially on a pitch where chasing teams had a clear advantage.
MI’s confidence in big chases
Stand-in Mumbai skipper Suryakumar Yadav said his side remained confident despite LSG’s strong start.
He highlighted a crucial phase in T20 cricket — overs 7 to 10 — as the turning point where matches can shift.
“We knew two wickets here and there, and we can take control of the game.”
Mumbai’s belief was also shaped by recent experience, including a match where they scored 244 but still ended up losing — reinforcing that even totals above 220 are not always safe.
A dominant chase
The foundation of Mumbai’s victory was laid by a massive 143-run opening partnership.
- Rohit Sharma: 84 off 44 balls
- Ryan Rickelton: 83 off 32 balls
Their aggressive yet controlled approach ensured the chase never spiralled out of control, keeping Mumbai ahead of the required rate throughout.
Suryakumar praised the duo, noting that a strong start is critical in big chases.
“The way they batted together, it looked like they were always in control.”
Playoff hopes hanging by a thread
The defeat leaves LSG struggling at the bottom of the table, with their playoff chances now dependent on a near-perfect finish and favourable results elsewhere.
Pant, however, remains hopeful of a turnaround.
“We need some good luck… and it’s going to take some more effort from us.”
As the tournament enters its crucial phase, LSG must quickly regroup, address their finishing gaps, and deliver consistent performances to keep their slim hopes alive.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)