Lucknow Super Giants fans are currently witnessing another dramatic middle-order collapse in today's match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. After an explosive start that saw them reach 90/1 in the Powerplay, their highest Powerplay score in IPL history, the team has once again lost its way, slumping to 165/5 by the 14th over. The frustration on X today stems from LSG seemingly "bottling" a position of absolute dominance. Nicholas Pooran played a "fearless and brutal" innings, smashing a half-century in just 16 balls. He finished with 63 off 21 balls, including 8 sixes, turning the Wankhede into his "personal launchpad.”
In a span of just five deliveries, MI's Corbin Bosch dismissed both Pooran and Mitchell Marsh (44), effectively
stalling the momentum. Fans are again questioning the batting order; despite the record start, captain Rishabh Pant fell for just 15, and debutant Akshat Raghuwanshi (11) was also dismissed quickly. There is mounting discussion about the visible frustration of owner Sanjiv Goenka, with fans debating if it's "passion or pressure" impacting the team's morale.
For context, if someone want to understand how bad is mi bowling unit this season- A team like lsg scored 90 runs in powerplay, highest ever by them this season.😨 Pooran played his first ipl 2026 inning with strike rate higher then 100 against mi.🥶🥶#ipl.#MIvsLSG. pic.twitter.com/Wt98G71mBc
— @StrawHatNkk018 (@nkkhowal14) May 4, 2026
63 off 21 balls 🤯🔥 Nicholas Pooran has officially announced his return to IPL 2026 — and he’s done it in full destruction mode 💀🏏 Wankhede Stadium just witnessed THE POORAN SHOW 🥶🔥#MIvsLSG pic.twitter.com/a3Yq2M5a80
𝐀𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐚𝐛 𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐚𝐲𝐢 𝐣𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐧𝐞 𝐤𝐢 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐒𝐆 𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐚 𝐠𝐲𝐞 🥲. #mivslsg pic.twitter.com/2XfQjxA2wa
Bumrah gives away 31 runs in his first two overs vs LSG. Maybe Hardik the Captain isn't the fault plaguing Mumbai Indians, no team can win with such non-performing players🤷#MIvsLSG pic.twitter.com/g5pR8b2uP6
Yahi toh vo Pooran hai… jise sab dekhna chah rahe the ❤️🔥 Form temporary, class permanent 💪#IPL2026 #MIvsLSG #NicholasPooran pic.twitter.com/d2szDBTEcq
— Super Giants Army (@LSGFansClub) May 4, 2026
Akshat Raghuwanshi’s mild debut in IPL 2026
Akshat Raghuwanshi’s debut for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) today against Mumbai Indians was the definition of a "blink-and-you-miss-it" performance. Despite entering with massive hype as one of the season's most expensive uncapped signings, his innings lasted just 7 balls. Raghuwanshi’s innings was a brief flash of brilliance followed by a rookie error that left fans on X stunned. Entering in the 11th over after Rishabh Pant fell, he faced Will Jacks for his first delivery. He didn't hesitate, smoked a floated delivery 89 metres over long-on for a massive six.
After that initial explosion, he managed only 5 runs off the next 6 balls. He looked visibly cautious against the leg-spin of fellow debutant Raghu Sharma. His debut ended in the 13th over when he misjudged the flight of a delivery from Raghu Sharma, handing a simple return catch back to the bowler. Many fans argued that pushing a debutant into a middle-order collapse was "unfair" and that he should have been given a license to play as an Impact Player instead.
