Watch: Lucknow Stadium set on fire before LSG vs MI IPL 2025 match

A major mishap was avoided when a fire broke out outside the Ekana Cricket Stadium just a few hours before the game between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians on Friday (April 5).

Hundreds of fans were standing on the road outside the stadium for the LSG vs MI game when the bushes beside the road were set on fire. According to a video doing rounds on social media, a few young men deliberately set fire to the bushes. A report also suggests that the fire might have been caused by a discarded cigarette.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya finally announces Jasprit Bumrah's IPL 2025 return date

However, the authorities were quick to react and brought the situation under control without letting the fire cause any major damage. The fire brigade reached the spot in time and extinguished the flames before they could spread further.

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LSG vs MI: MI opt to bowl first:

The game started at the scheduled time after the fire was brought under control. Talking about the game, MI captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first. Speaking at the toss, Pandya also stated that Rohit Sharma was unavailable for the game due to a knee injury.

Rohit has been replaced by Will Jacks in the MI Playing 11. LSG also made one change to their playing eleven with Akash Deep replacing M Siddharth.

"That's the talk we have had. Let's not talk about the surfaces as a team. I think adaptation (key to success in IPL). Sticking to right plans and being smart. Lot of runs are being scored. Cricket is situation based. Rohit was hit on the knee during practice . He is missing out," said Pandya.

Meanwhile, LSG were 92/2 after 9 overs at the time of writing this report. Mitchell Marsh gave LSG a good start by smashing 60 runs off just 31 balls. It was his third fifty in four innings this season. He was dismissed by Vignesh Puthur before Pandya dismissed in-form Nicholas Pooran for 12.