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Mumbai Indians (MI) have always been slow starters, losing their first few matches and then making an emphatic comeback to stage a turnaround in playoffs. With losses at the start of second phase of ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, MI were expected to make a comeback once again but things took a turn for worse after a humiliating 54-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Moreover, this was the first time in in IPL history MI were bundled out by RCB.
Major middle order woes
MI’s middle order has been ordinary in the season so far. Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya have failed to make an impact. The only big score from a middle order batter came from Saurabh Tiwary’s bat. Tiwary scored a half-century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The southpaw was replaced by Hardik Pandya who looked out of touch against RCB.
Rahul Chahar unimpressive
Rahul Chahar has not been the wicket-taker he was in the first phase of IPL 2021. In three games, he has managed just one wicket and leaked big runs in two games. The leg-spinner played a big role in MI’s win in the first leg and needs to take wickets in middle overs to create more pressure of opposition batters and prevent them from accelerating.
Massive slump on points table
After the RCB defeat, MI have slipped to seventh place on the points table with just four wins from 10 games and an alarming net run rate. With four more games to go, MI need to each and every one of them if they don’t want to be dependent on results of other games for their qualification chances. If MI win three games out of four, it will all come down to the net run rate which took a massive hit with loss against Virat Kohli’s RCB.
Reasons to worry for India’s World T20 contingent
Several players in the MI side have been selected in the T20 World Cup squad which will take place in UAE next month. Most of them have been out-of-form. Hardik’s fitness has been an issue as well as he did not bowl a single over against RCB. Also, Rohit was kit by Kishan’s shot which was followed by his wicket. The skipper was sitting in the dugout with ice pack on his right hand. The magnitude of injury is still unknown.
