Cricket is a game of infinite possibilities, and as a Mumbai Indians (MI) supporter, you are likely aware of this more than most. The recent rain-soaked nail-biter between MI and Gujarat Titans (GT) is the ideal reason why we all love and sometimes stress over the game. A match with drama, hope, and disappointment… a game that makes you think about your life choices as a cricket supporter. So then, what went wrong for MI? Let’s break it down:
The Good, the Bad, and the Dripping Wet
MI made a reasonable 155 for eight in the first innings – not exactly a game-changing score, but enough to feel comfortable, especially when the bowlers responded with fire. They put GT on the rack at 126 for six. MI was only a couple of decent overs away from winning the game… they could sense it from how GT was trying to bat at that stage. Then… the rain gods intervened.
DLS Drama – Because, why not?
Then, like any good movie plot twist, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method came into play, and suddenly it turned into GT needing only 15 runs off the last over after a third re-involvement with the weather. At this point, you could almost hear every MI fan groan in unison as they watched the game slip away from MI’s grasp. If I had a dollar for every time DLS method changed the game, I could afford a Wankhede VIP Box seat.
“Poor Execution Costed Us the Game” – Mahela Jayawardene’s Brutal Assessment
It is fair to say that MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene did not mince his words in the press conference after the match. “It wasn’t about the decision, it was about the execution,” he said, and I think he was aiming at the bowlers and MI players in general for their display on the cricket field. There was a stage and time that looked comfortable for MI. But with MI in control, MI let it slip while they were ahead. MI were poor with their lengths, they gave away big boundaries, and bowled a no-ball. The lifeline… the no-ball… All cricketing sins… and MI players giving you the side-eye with the head shake from the coach was damning.
Jayawardene said that they were about 30 runs short on that wicket… Now, that is a small margin, but in T20 cricket, 30 runs can mean an awful lot. “We were probably 30 runs short on that wicket,” he said, and I am sure he was meaning that in terms of giving your bowling unit something to play with in a rain-hit chase for runs.
He also said it had a decision to continue with Deepak Chahar in the last over. Yes, the strategic plan coming into the 20th over, but Chahar had been good before, and now the pressure was a huge factor, and that showed up at the end. The last six deliveries turned into a nightmare for any bowler – two boundaries and a no-ball.
Lessons for the Journey Ahead
After two matches left to cement a place in the playoffs, MI now need to treat all the matches as a match like it’s a final match, basically, turn it around and use those moments to show MI is a valued competitive team. “Going forward, we will treat every game as a playoff game for us now,” Jayawardene said in what was a clear display of wanting to turn a hard game into a future good performance.
Something to think about – hope and hype
If you are a supporter of the Mumbai Indians, you know the deal. Never say die. This team has a record of recovering when it is needed. So, here is a quick and dirty pep talk to all the Paltan fans out there…believe and keep putting the match-day snacks spicy, and just remember…it ain’t over till it is over.
So, what do you think? Will MI resurrect and qualify for the playoffs, or is that a wrap for the five-time champions? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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