MI vs LSG 2025: Rishabh Pant drops Shardul Thakur, Mayank Yadav returns

Mumbai Indians are set to lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants in match 45 of the ongoing Indian Premier League at Wankhede Stadium. Winning the toss, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant invited the home team to bat first and opted to field.

Announcing the playing XI and squad changes to their respective teams, MI announced three changes to their squad, they included Rohit Sharma, Cobrin Bosch and Karn Sharma in place of Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Santner, and Vignesh Puthur, While LSG made two changed and chose Ayush Badoni and Mayank Yadav in place of David Miller and Shardul Thakur. The surprise exit of Shardul from the playing XI made fans wonder why Rishabh had excluded their best bowler of the tournament from the important clash against MI.

Why did Pant replace Shardul Thakur with Mayank Yadav?

Mayank, who is one of India’s fastest-ever bowlers, has returned to the LSG’s 10th match of the season against the Mumbai Indians. Announcing his place in the squad, Rishabh informed, “We are bowling first. In a day game you want to utilise the surface. We are in a good space and personally It’s easier to put the team ahead, makes it easier. Eventually, you want to play good cricket and take everyday as your first day. One change. Shardul is out and Mayank Yadav is in,” 

Mayank has been given the place of Shardul Thakur with hopes of destroying MI’s batters. As Mayank is known for his pace, and Wankhede ground is best suited for Pacers. To utilise the ground and take advantage of Mayank’s abilities, he has been chosen over Shardul, who is a perfect swing bowler.  While Shardul can clock 135-140 km/h, Mayank can go up to 150 km/h, and that extra speed could cause trouble to the famed Mumbai Indians batting lineup.

MI vs LSG Playing XI

Mumbai Indians Playing XI

Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Karn Sharma

Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav