Match overview
Lucknow Super Giants beat Mumbai Indians by 4 wickets at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium on 30 April 2024, chasing down a target of 145 to move further ahead in a head-to-head series they now lead 6–2. MP Stoinis was named Player of the Match after steadying the chase during a middle-overs wobble. Mumbai had already been set back by a dismal powerplay, losing 4 wickets for 28 runs in the first 6 overs. They recovered, but 144/7 was always likely to be under par at Ekana. LSG's openers came out attacking and made the target look straightforward before three middle-overs wickets briefly tightened the finish.
The contest never felt truly in doubt once LSG reached the halfway point of their chase in a strong position. Their powerplay score of 52/1 gave them a buffer that absorbed the cluster of wickets in overs 7–15. At the death, Lucknow needed just 29 runs with 4 wickets remaining, and they got there comfortably enough. For Mumbai, a third defeat in five 2024 games left them with serious questions about their top-order frailty.
Venue and conditions
The BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium has hosted 44 T20 matches and carries a distinct statistical profile. The average first-innings score is 177, but the chase success rate sits at 53 per cent, making it a venue where posting a big total genuinely matters. Captains are well aware of this: 68 per cent of toss winners at Ekana have chosen to field, banking on dew and the knowledge that chasing sides have a slight historical edge.
Phase-by-phase, the average powerplay at Ekana yields 47 runs. Mumbai's 28/4 in the powerplay was therefore a significant underperformance. In the death overs (overs 16–20), the ground averages 40 runs, so LSG's 29 in the death was also slightly below average, suggesting their own finish was more nervous than the final margin implies. The pitch tends to play better as the innings progresses and dew arrives in the evening, which is one reason chasing sides convert at a reasonable clip despite the scoreboard pressure.
The middle phase is where games at this venue tend to shift. Mumbai's 68/1 in overs 7–15 was respectable, but the lack of a substantial first-innings platform meant LSG could absorb their own middle-overs wobble of 64/3 and still emerge with enough in the tank for the final push.
How to watch
IPL matches are shown live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming available via Sky Go and NOW TV for subscribers. A NOW TV Sports Day Pass is an option for viewers who do not hold a full Sky subscription. Coverage typically begins 20–30 minutes before the first ball.
For this fixture, the UK broadcast start would have been early to mid-afternoon BST given the Indian afternoon start time. Sky's IPL coverage generally includes pre-match analysis, in-play commentary, and post-match review across the full season.
Recent form
Mumbai Indians arrived at Ekana with a 2–3 record from their previous five 2024 IPL games, having beaten Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore but losing to Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings. Their recent form pointed to a side capable of winning but prone to sudden collapses, which is exactly what transpired in the powerplay here.
Lucknow Super Giants had also been inconsistent coming into this fixture, going 2–3 in their previous five matches in 2024. They had beaten Chennai Super Kings twice but lost to Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals. Neither side was riding a wave of form, which made home advantage and toss fortune all the more relevant. LSG made both count. For Mumbai, this defeat left them needing a strong run of results to stay in contention for the IPL 2024 play-offs, with time running short in the tournament.
