Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) welcomed back their fiery pacer Mayank Yadav for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 showdown against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, marking his eagerly awaited return after missing the season’s first nine matches due to injury.

The 22-year-old speedster replaced Shardul Thakur in the playing XI, a surprising move given Thakur’s impressive haul of 12 wickets in nine games. LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, opted to bowl first after winning the toss, banking on Yadav’s raw pace to unsettle Mumbai’s formidable batting lineup.

Yadav’s inclusion follows his stint as an impact substitute in LSG’s previous matches against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, where the team opted for Ayush Badoni instead. After a loss to Delhi, Pant explained the cautious approach, noting the management’s intent to let Yadav regain confidence and rhythm. Retained for INR 11 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Yadav’s return is a major boost for LSG, who are eager to leverage his game-changing potential.

Yadav first turned heads in IPL 2024, consistently breaching 150 kmph and claiming seven wickets in just four matches before an abdominal injury cut his campaign short. His meteoric rise continued with a T20I debut for India against Bangladesh in October 2024, but a subsequent back injury sidelined him, forcing him to miss the domestic white-ball season. Now, fully recovered, Yadav aims to replicate his 2024 heroics and propel LSG’s playoff aspirations.

In the match, Mumbai Indians, asked to bat first, made two changes, introducing Karn Sharma and Corbin Bosch in place of Vignesh Puthur and Mitchell Santner. An intriguing subplot emerged with reports of Ben Stokes spotted at Mumbai Indians’ team hotel, greeted by team officials, sparking speculation about his involvement.

At the toss, Pant emphasized a fresh approach, stating, “We’re in a good space. Take every day as your first and play good cricket.” Mumbai’s Hardik Pandya countered, “It’s about adapting, staying focused, and doing the right things in every IPL game.”

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni minced no words after the team faced its seventh loss in nine games during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Following a crucial 5-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Dhoni openly criticized the team’s batting unit for failing to deliver under pressure.

Despite making notable changes, including bringing in Dewald Brevis and Deepak Hooda while dropping Rachin Ravindra, CSK’s batting woes continued. The team suffered an early setback with Shaik Rasheed getting dismissed on the first ball of the match, setting a disappointing tone for the innings.

“We kept losing wickets, and in the first innings the wicket was slightly better and 155 is not a justifiable score,” Dhoni said, reflecting on CSK’s inability to post a competitive total. He acknowledged that while the pitch became slightly two-paced later, it was nothing extraordinary to excuse the low score.

Debutant Dewald Brevis provided a glimmer of hope, scoring a brisk 42 off 25 balls. However, apart from him, CSK’s middle order failed to gain momentum. Highlighting Brevis’ effort, Dhoni said, “He batted really well and we need something like that in the middle order where we have struggled when spinners come in.”

Dhoni further pointed out CSK’s consistent struggles against spin bowling in the middle overs, an area he believes is costing them crucial runs.

While CSK’s spinners staged a commendable fightback to stretch the match, the lack of runs eventually cost them the game. Dhoni stressed that if a majority of players underperform, it becomes impossible to maintain consistency in team selections, forcing frequent changes.

“In a tournament like this, if majority are not doing well, it becomes very difficult,” he noted. The captain emphasized the importance of adapting to conditions and setting competitive targets, noting that while it may not always require 180-200 runs, assessing the pitch and conditions correctly is critical.

As CSK now faces the threat of early elimination, the team’s top order will need urgent rectification to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.

In a dazzling display of skill and charisma, Rohit Sharma powered Mumbai Indians to a commanding victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in the IPL 2025. The star batter’s explosive 70 off 46 balls steered his team to chase the target in just 15.4 overs, securing their fourth consecutive win. This triumph not only boosted Mumbai Indians’ net run rate but also catapulted them to third place on the points table, solidifying their playoff prospects.

The celebration that followed was nothing short of electric. Mumbai Indians shared a vibrant Instagram video capturing Rohit grooving to the rhythmic beats of dhols and nagadas alongside Bollywood icon Jackie Shroff, fondly known for his love for plants. Captioned “Jaggu Dada is all of us when RO starts hitting them out of the park!” the clip showed Rohit posing with his bat while Jackie danced around him, clutching a flowerpot. Fans in the background joined the revelry, adding to the festive mood.

Rohit soon jumped into the dance, twirling his bat to the music before playfully borrowing Jackie’s flowerpot to sway with the crowd. The infectious energy of the duo lit up social media, with netizens showering love on the unexpected collaboration. “Mumbai cha Raja Ro-Hitman Sharma!” gushed one user, while another declared, “Jaggu Dada representing every MI fan!” Heart emojis flooded the comments, with fans calling Rohit “Rohit Swagger Sharma” and praising his “Hitman ke dance” moves.

The video’s charm had fans hooked, with one quipping, “Aise videos ke liye hi internet recharge karta hoon!” Another dubbed Jackie “Rohit paglu,” comparing his enthusiasm to that of a die-hard fan. Jackie’s signature plant obsession didn’t go unnoticed either, with comments like “Personal oxygen bhi hai” and “Jhaad lagane ka bidhu,” accompanied by tree emojis, celebrating his eco-friendly persona.

From a shaky start with just one win in their first five matches, Mumbai Indians have roared back with four straight victories, thanks to Rohit’s leadership and flair.

As the team eyes a playoff berth, this heartwarming moment of Rohit and Jackie dancing together has given fans yet another reason to cheer.