Rishabh Pant said his team did not finish well enough, even after beginning strongly, as Lucknow Super Giants lost by six wickets to Mumbai Indians in the latest cricket news.

LSG set a steep mark at 228 for 5, yet saw it crumble when Mumbai reached the total with ease, eight deliveries still unused. Off the block came Rohit Sharma’s fiery 84, soon matched by Ryan Rickelton’s sharp 83, both carving through the bowling. The loss now drags Lucknow’s chances of advancing into deep uncertainty, a tight clash with heavy stakes.

Rishabh Pant rues missed runs as MI make light work of steep chase

“The way we started, I think we should have gotten more runs. Definitely, the boys played freely, but in the end, I think they bowled well because they are used to these conditions,” Rishabh Pant said at the post-match presentation.

He believed Lucknow were at least 10–15 runs short on a surface that favoured big scores. “It was a 220–230 wicket for sure. We had the edge early on, but on a wicket like this, you can’t blame the bowlers all the time,” he added.

Rishabh Pant, however, refused to single out his bowlers, backing them while hoping for a change in fortunes in the remaining matches. “They’ve been doing a fantastic job. I think we need some good luck going forward. A few things falling our way, along with better effort, can still make a difference,” he said.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton put LSG on brink of elimination as MI pull off stunning 229-run chase

Even after LSG blasted out fast, stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav said Mumbai kept their composure. They’d faced such moments before during the year, so nerves didn’t take over. Past games had taught them how to settle into tough spots. That experience helped steady things early on.

“We’ve been in this position quite a few times, so it wasn’t new. In T20 cricket, overs 7 to 10 are crucial. We knew a couple of wickets could shift momentum, and the bowlers showed great character,” Suryakumar said.

He praised the collective effort of his bowling unit for pulling things back and restricting Lucknow after a flying start. “Everyone had belief and clear plans. It didn’t require much intervention, just backing them in key moments. The way they executed was commendable.”

Chasing down tough targets, that kind of win sticks with you. Lately, sky-high scores haven’t scared us off. Just the other day, 244 wasn’t enough to win, but that taught us something. Totals near 220 or more. Those are within reach, if everything clicks.

He also lauded the opening stand, highlighting the impact of Rohit’s return alongside Rickelton’s form. “A good start is crucial in big chases, and the way Rohit and Rickelton batted, they looked in complete control and entertained the crowd throughout,” he added.