Allah Ghazanfar breaks Harbhajan Singh's 15-year-old Powerplay record for Mumbai Indians

Key facts

• Allah Ghazanfar dismissed Josh Inglis for 13 off five balls in the third over at Wankhede Stadium on May 4, 2026.
• Ghazanfar now has six Powerplay wickets this season, the most by a Mumbai Indians spinner in a single IPL campaign.
• Harbhajan Singh held the previous record with five Powerplay wickets in IPL 2011.
• Jasprit Bumrah holds the overall MI record for most Powerplay wickets with 40.
• LSG posted 228/5, powered by Nicholas Pooran's 63 off 20 balls (eight sixes).
• Mumbai Indians stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav took the catch to dismiss Inglis.
• Ghazanfar's carrom ball deceived Inglis, who miscued a pull shot.

A record etched in the Powerplay

Mumbai Indians spinner Allah Ghazanfar etched his name into the franchise's record books on Monday evening, dismissing Lucknow Super Giants opener Josh Inglis during the Powerplay at Wankhede Stadium. The wicket was his sixth in the first six overs this Indian Premier League season, surpassing Harbhajan Singh's 15-year-old record of five Powerplay wickets for Mumbai Indians in a single campaign. Ghazanfar, who has been Mumbai's highest wicket-taker in IPL 2026, struck with a clever carrom ball in his first over. Inglis, making his LSG debut, had looked in fine touch, scoring two consecutive boundaries off Ghazanfar earlier in the over, but miscued a pull shot that looped to mid-on, where stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav ran back to complete a well-judged catch.

The context of the clash

The match pitted the bottom two teams in the IPL 2026 standings against each other, both fighting to keep slim playoff hopes alive. Mumbai Indians, without regular captain Hardik Pandya who was sidelined with viral fever, won the toss and elected to bowl first, anticipating dew in the second innings to aid their chase. LSG handed Inglis his IPL debut, making him their fourth different opening partner of the season. The Australian right-hander opened his account with a fine boundary off the second over, flicking an angled delivery backward of square. He then struck two more boundaries off Ghazanfar before falling to the spinner's variation.

Ghazanfar's rare skill as a Powerplay spinner

Ghazanfar belongs to a rare breed of spinners who bowl with the new ball during the Powerplay, thriving despite fielding restrictions that typically favour pace bowlers. His tally of six Powerplay wickets this season places him ahead of Harbhajan Singh, who took five in 2011, and makes him the most successful spin bowler for Mumbai Indians in the first six overs of an IPL season. The overall record for most Powerplay wickets by any Mumbai Indians bowler remains with Jasprit Bumrah, who has 40, followed by Lasith Malinga (37), Trent Boult (31), and Mitchell McClenaghan (31). Bumrah, however, has not been at his fluent best this season.

LSG's explosive batting despite early loss

Despite losing Inglis early, Lucknow Super Giants mounted a formidable total of 228 for five. Nicholas Pooran bludgeoned 63 off just 20 balls, smashing eight sixes and reaching his fifty in 16 balls. Mitchell Marsh contributed 44 as LSG raced to 123 for one in eight overs. Corbin Bosch pulled things back with two quick wickets, triggering a collapse to 160 for four. Rishabh Pant fell cheaply again, but Himmat Singh (40 not out) and Aiden Markram (31 not out) steadied the innings with an unbeaten stand to push the total past 225.

What the record means for Ghazanfar and MI

Ghazanfar's achievement underscores his growing importance to Mumbai Indians' bowling attack, particularly in the Powerplay where spinners are often overlooked. His ability to take wickets with the new ball provides MI with a strategic weapon as they seek to climb the points table. For LSG, the defeat deepens their struggle to avoid the wooden spoon, while Mumbai Indians will hope Ghazanfar's form can spark a late resurgence. The record also highlights the evolving role of spin in T20 cricket, where bowlers like Ghazanfar are redefining traditional norms.

The bottom line

• Allah Ghazanfar now holds the Mumbai Indians record for most Powerplay wickets by a spinner in a single IPL season, with six.
• He surpassed Harbhajan Singh's 15-year-old record of five Powerplay wickets set in 2011.
• Ghazanfar dismissed Josh Inglis with a carrom ball on his LSG debut; Inglis made 13 off five balls.
• LSG posted 228/5, with Nicholas Pooran scoring 63 off 20 balls, but the early wicket of Inglis was a key moment.
• Ghazanfar is among the few spinners who bowl effectively in the Powerplay, a role traditionally dominated by pacers.
• The match was crucial for both bottom-placed teams to keep their playoff hopes alive.