IPL Play Of The Day: Rohit-Rickelton turn Batman-Robin MI to shoot down LSG

For a while, Indians in Mumbai felt like Gotham City in distress. The Wankhede stronghold was breached and the five-time IPL champions were just sliding in the points table. It was time for a bat signal to be sent to the heavens because the MI needed their savior back.

And he came back safe. Rohit Sharma’s return to Mumbai Indians’ top order proved to be the defining move of the day. Other points have been talked about, including Hardik Pandya’s illness potentially opening the door for Suryakumar Yadav to lead the side, but when Rohit’s bat does the talking, everything else takes a back seat.

Rohit, who has been sidelined since April 12 after suffering a hamstring injury during MI’s loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he missed four consecutive games as the franchise struggled near the bottom of the table. In his absence, Mumbai looked shaky, especially at the top of the order, where combinations kept shuffling in search of stability. Since then, Rohit has been working closely with the medical staff to regain full fitness, but the recovery process has taken longer than originally expected, forcing MI to wait patiently for their former captain’s return.

MI vs LSG: Highlights | Scorecard

The moment Suryakumar Yadav announced at the toss that Rohit will play against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday evening, May 4, the Wankhede Stadium erupted in celebration. The noise was deafening, a reminder of Rohit’s importance in the city and within the franchise.

And why not? Their ‘Mumbai Cha Raja’ was back and expectations were instantly sky high. The reception itself set the tone for what was to come as fans sensed that something special was in store. But Batman can’t always take on villains alone. He needed his partner, young Robin, to come and help him out. Enter Ryan Rickleton

Rohit’s partnership with Rickelton took Mumbai’s performance to another level. Despite a rocky start, with some ill-timed punches and visible early nerves, the duo quickly found their rhythm. What followed was a brilliant 143-run partnership that not only steadied the innings but also reignited MI’s fading playoff hopes. In a season marred by injuries and inconsistent form, MI have frequently rotated their opening pairs. However, against LSG, they reverted to one of their most productive combinations – and it paid off immediately.

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Look at Ryan Rickelton

All this in complete awe of Rohit Sharma. pic.twitter.com/7P3pGoTZpP— Rohan (@rohann__45) May 4, 2026

With this stand, Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton climbed to the top spot in the list of 100-plus partnerships for Mumbai Indians in IPL history and became only the second pair to register three centuries together. Rohit’s presence on this list is not surprising. This is his second feature on the list with two 100-plus partnerships with former MI batsman Ishan Kishan also underlining his long-standing influence at the top of the order. Records aside, what stood out was the confidence with which the pair approached the chase, mixing caution with calculated aggression.

Batting with poise and elegance, the duo dismantled LSG’s predominantly Indian bowling attack through the Wankhede. Rohit, despite returning from injury, looked fluid and in control, picking his moments to attack. Rickelton, on the other hand, complemented him brilliantly with his fearless hitting game. Interestingly, Rickelton scored a sensational century the last time he batted on this ground, even though it was a losing one. This time he made sure his contribution had a much more meaningful impact.

Although none of the dough stayed until the end, their efforts had already produced a difficult task. They built a rock-solid platform for the middle order and ensured that the required pace never got out of control. The chase, which could have been tricky under pressure, turned into a manageable task, allowing the MI batsmen to close out the game with relative ease. The result: two vital points that took MI to six points in the table and kept their play-off hopes alive, however slim they still are. Rohit and Rickleton put on a 143 run partnership against LSG (Screen grab from X)

500 FOR OPENERS

Desperate for a turnaround, Rohit, returning after four matches with MI, played a captain’s knock in all but name. He scored 84 off 44 deliveries, smashing seven sixes along the way. It was his 49th half-century in the Indian Premier League and he reached the milestone in just 27 balls. The shift was a mixture of timing, placement and power as he gradually shifted gears once he got the eye.

Rickelton was just as destructive. He got his fifth IPL fifty in just 22 balls and maintained an aggressive pace throughout his innings. Both batsmen made excellent use of the swing shot, especially against pace, using shorter boundaries at the Wankhede. They scored at a strike rate well above 190, with Rickelton finishing at a staggering 259.38, scoring 83 from just 32 balls. His ability to accelerate ensured that the LSG bowlers were constantly under pressure, with little room to recover.

Their partnership eventually propelled Mumbai Indians to their most successful run chase to date at the Wankhede Stadium, a record that underscores the significance of their efforts.

“Rohit and Rickelton had a great start,” said Naman Dhir after the match. “It came out today. He’s a great player (on Rohit), we’ve seen that over the years. We had a setback with his hamstring but the way he came back was unbelievable.”

MI BACK TO WINNING WAYS

With the top order laying a near-perfect foundation through a 143-run opening stand, MI chased down a daunting target of 229 runs set by Lucknow Super Giants with six wickets in hand. While the openers did most of the scoring, it was Naman Dhir who ensured there were no late hiccups and led the team over the line with eight balls to spare. His composure in the closing stages reflected the confidence his strong start had given him.

This win, while crucial, only marginally improves MI’s position in the points table, where they remain second from bottom. However, achieving six points giving them a fighting chance during the league stage. The road to the playoffs remains steep and MI will need not only consistent performances but also favorable results elsewhere.

Still, this win could prove to be a turning point. With Rohit Sharma back in the lineup and firing, Mumbai Indians have regained their sense of direction and belief. Whether that translates into a late playoff surge remains to be seen, but for now, they’ve kept their campaign alive — and maybe, just maybe, reignited hope among their fans.

– The end

Published on:

May 5, 2026 07:49 IST