Recalling the loss against KKR, Hardik Pandya believed that Mumbai’s inability to form partnerships lost them the match.
For the Mumbai Indians, the IPL 2024 season is all but done despite the contentious captaincy decision at the beginning of the season. On Friday, Kolkata won their first IPL match at the Wankhede ground in twelve years as the Hardik Pandya-led team was bowled out for just 145 runs in 18.5 overs while chasing 170 on the two-paced course. While the outcome nearly put KKR back in the running for another postseason berth, MI’s future depends on math.
During the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, captain Hardik Pandya of the Mumbai Indians watches (AFP)
Nuwan Thushara, the new Lasith Malinga for Mumbai, took three wickets in the powerplay to put KKR on the back foot. In just 6.1 overs, the visitors were reduced to five wickets down for just 57 runs. Though Jasprit Bumrah was nearly unplayable in the final overs, Venkatesh Iyer worked hard on the sticky ground to carve out a superb performance of 70 from 52 balls and stitch an 83-run partnership alongside Manish Pandey as KKR set a target of 170.
MI’s top order responded with yet another terrifying display, but there was optimism for the home team when the dew settled in and Suryakumar Yadav looked great. The hosts were all out for 145 in the 19th over as Mitchell Starc completed the finishing act with his three wickets in the final over, but not before Andre Russell removed the Mumbai player with a knee-high full toss.
“It goes without saying that in the batting inning, we were unable to establish partnerships and continued to lose wickets; in T20s, failing to establish partnerships can cost you. Not much at this point; there are a lot of questions, and answering them will take some time. As you said, the bowlers performed an outstanding job, and after the first innings, the surface improved a little bit before the dew arrived. Following the 24-run defeat, he stated, “We will review the game and see what we may have done better.
Mumbai has already lost eight of its 11 games this season, more than any other squad. Despite being tenth in the standings, they are ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru on six points (from ten games) thanks to a superior net run rate.
Hardik responded, “You keep fighting, that is what I tell myself, never leave the battlefield, tough days come but good also come here, it’s challenging but challenges make you better,” when asked how he was handling the setback, which all but ended Mumbai’s hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.