Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians (MI) can’t catch a break. The Rohit Sharma-led MI’s horror show continued as they faced their sixth defeat in a row. Chasing a total of 200, MI crumbled, then recovered, and then crumbled again to fall short of the target by 18 runs at Brabourne stadium, Mumbai.
Rohit, Kishan disappoint again
Once again, the opening duo of Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma disappointed. While Rohit became Avesh Khan's first victim in the third over for a score of six, Kishan got knocked over by Marcus Stoinis just after the powerplay overs. Kishan scored just 13 runs from 17 deliveries. Meanwhile, Dewald Brevis ensured that MI stay in the game with a 13-ball 32. The 18-year-old SA batter hit six fours and one six in his cameo before Avesh got his wicket.
Surya, Tilak keep MI in hunt
From 57/3, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma took charge of the run chase. Surya was sent ahead of Tilak but it did not batter as both of them were on the crease in a matter of three deliveries. While Rahul was out of the field due to hamstring problem, Krunal Pandya took charge of the proceedings. The two shared a 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The in-form Tilak was not comfortable against quality LSG bowling. He scored run-a-ball 26 including two boundaries before getting bowled by Jason Holder.
Pollard fires and misfires
The in-form Surya could not get MI over the line this time. He got out in Ravi Bishnoi’s last over. The 31-year-old scored 37 runs from 27 deliveries. Kieron Pollard hit a few big shots to keep the run chase alive but did not get enough support from the other end. Fabian Allen became Avesh's third scalp of the day in the 18th over.
In the penultimate over, with 40 runs needed off 10 deliveries, it all seemed lost. Jaydev Unadkat infused life into the game with a slog sweep for a six over deep mid-wicket. He followed it up with a boundary, straight over Holder's head. Unadkat had luck favouring him as the ball hit his back leg and sprinted towards the boundary. On the last ball, Unadkat was denied single by Pollard despite 26 runs needed off the last six.
On the first ball of the last over, Unadkat became victim of a mid-pitch mix-up and got out. A single was added to the score nevertheless. Murugan Ashwin came in to bat and smoked a big six over wide long-on off Dushmantha Chameera. Murugan got out off the next delivery as Pollard wanted the strike. Pollard could not finish off the game and got out off the penultimate delivery. The Caribbean batter scored 25 runs from 14 deliveries. In the end, MI lost the game by 18 runs as they could manage 181/9.
Fiery start
Earlier MI skipper Rohit won the toss and opted to field first. The power-packed duo of Rahul and De Kock got off to a fiery start, crossing the 50-run mark in the sixth over. However, the Proteas wicketkeeper-batter over-attacked Fabian Allen and got trapped in front of the stumps. The left-handed batter scored 24 runs from 13 deliveries.
Pandey performs on return
Coming back into the side, Manish Pandey did well and scored 38 runs from 29 deliveries including six fours. Meanwhile, Rahul made full use of loose deliveries to get to his half-century in the 13th over. MI fielders did not do themselves any favours either with and sloppy fielding.
Rahul hits ton
Stoinis stamped his authority from ball one with a 104-metre six but could not get going. Rahul accelerated well in the death overs and got to his century in the penultimate over of the innings. It was the first century by an Indian batter in the 2022 edition. Also, he became the first captain to hit a century for different franchises in IPL.
Deepak Hooda contributed with eight-ball 15 in the death overs. Rahul remained unbeaten for 10 off 60 deliveries. His knock included nine fours and five sixes. In the bowling department, English pacer Mills was the most expensive as he leaked 54 runs in his three overs. Jasprit Bumrah was economical whereas Unadkat was most successful with two wickets for 32 runs in his four overs.
