Five-time champions Mumbai will now meet reigning champions the Gujarat Titans in Friday’s second qualifier in Ahmedabad, with the winner going on to face the Chennai Super Kings in Sunday’s final, also in Ahmedabad.
Lucknow made the surprising decision not to select Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock for the match, instead opting for West Indian Kyle Mayers as their impact player.
OPINION: Selection Kock-up ‘extremely costly’ for Lucknow
Green, who hit his maiden T20 century in Mumbai’s previous win, looked in control during his 23-ball knock until his departure.
Naveen-ul-Haq, who took four wickets for Lucknow, sent back Suryakumar and Green, bowled by a slower off-cutter from the Afghanistan pace bowler, in the space of three deliveries to push Mumbai onto the back foot.
Tilak Varma hit back with a quickfire 26 and a 43-run stand with Tim David, who was out caught for 13 after unsuccessfully reviewing a full toss for being over waist-height.
Naveen finished with 4-38 and Yash Thakur took three wickets but despite their efforts Mumbai’s impact sub Nehal Wadhera boosted the total with his 12-ball 23.
MUST-READ: Saffas fire and flop in 2023 IPL
Lucknow lost their openers early, including Mayers for 18, before Australia’s Marcus Stoinis attempted to pull the chase together in his 27-ball 40.
But Madhwal struck with successive balls, including getting the dangerous Nicholas Pooran caught behind for a golden duck.
Stoinis, who crossed 400 runs this season to be his team’s standout performer, was run out after a mid-pitch collision with non-striker Deepak Hooda with both batsmen watching the ball.
Yes ✅
No ❌Confusion in the Middle x 2 #LSG lose two wickets in no time as Mumbai Indians capitalise ?#TATAIPL | #Eliminator | #LSGvMI pic.twitter.com/xWVnqQVSjh
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 24, 2023
The innings fell further apart with two more run outs sending back Krishnappa Gowtham and Hooda.
Lucknow, who made their IPL debut last season with Gujarat as the league grew to 10 teams, fell at the same hurdle in the previous edition.
The neutral venue for both teams had many empty seats, in contrast to the nearly full stadium on Tuesday when home hero MS Dhoni’s Chennai made the final with a win over Gujarat.
© Agence France-Presse
