This was a season of blurry moments and few flashes of brilliance for the defending champions Mumbai Indians. They were a team which seemed to have almost all bases covered and yet could not qualify for the playoffs, more so because of the fact that they were not able to clinch few crucial moments in the match which presented itself for a fleeting moment and then galloped away.
The squad was more or less the same from the previous season and the core group was firmly intact. In Rohit Sharma they had a leader who on most days is like a poetry in motion with the bat. And then they had Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard and Harbhajan Singh, players who have become synonymous with the Mumbai outfit. The squad received further boost when they recruited Jos Buttler, Tim Southee and unheralded Krunal Pandya. On paper, this should have been the team to beat, but then cricket matches are not played on paper and Mumbai flattered to deceive.
They finished fifth in the league table and with such a potent team this is just not what was expected. What were the drawbacks then?
For starters, the injury to Lasith Malinga, a bowler who has been a spearhead for them in so many regards was ruled out of the tournament because of a knee injury. They then had to face the injury to Lendl Simmons, one of their trump cards from the previous season. Although they roped in Martin Guptill, the balance at the top of the order was never quite the same. This was one major worry for Mumbai, as their opening partnership never churned out the required performance.
Historically, Mumbai Indians have always been slow starters and this season was no different. A loss to debutants Rising Pune Supergiants in the opening match was not the ideal way to kickstart a campaign, but Mumbai have been through this road before. However, this time Maharashtra was ravaged with drought and hence Mumbai's home games had to be shifted away from the Wankhede Stadium, their fortress. This was like an omen for the team and they never looked settled at Vishakhapatnam, their new home ground.
However, at the end of April, Mumbai was placed better with 4 wins, but unlike the previous season they faltered to muster a finishing kick and eventually lost their must win game against the Gujarat Lions and tripped when it mattered the most. This came after they put up a sterling display against the Delhi Daredevils in their previous game which they won by 80 runs. These two games sum up the season perfectly; a comprehensive thumping followed by a morose performance. The campaign never assumed a momentum all through and the journey was meandering along and finally came to a screeching halt.
Positives from the season:
If the previous season was about Hardik Pandya, this season brought to the fore the elder sibling Krunal. Mumbai splashed Rs 2 crore for Krunal who has not yet played even one First class match, but he forced everyone to sit up and take notice of his ability. A hard hitting left hander, Krunal also bowls handy left arm spin. His innings of 86 runs off 37 balls against Delhi Daredevils will rank as one of the best innings this season. With the ball too, he held his own, although he did leak runs on one or two occasions. But having seen this Pandya, it can be safe to say that an exciting talent has been unearthed.
Also read: IPL 2016: A contrasting seasons for the Pandya, Pathan brothers
Where did it go wrong?
The ability to identify key moments and win them was the biggest reason for their ouster from the tournament.
Apart from this, the lack of a formidable opening partnership at the top of the order too impeded them. Rohit Sharma hit form but there was no one around him to cash-in on it even though Ambati Rayudu did impress at number 3.
Also, the change of venues to Vishakhapatnam meant that the normally free flowing stroke makers found it difficult to adapt to the new surface which was not as true as Wankhede.
Much was expected of Jos Buttler, but apart from a few bright cameos, the England wicket-keeper could not put in a match winning performance. He is a definite match winner, and his rather timid form cost Mumbai many games especially during chases.
The fact that Corey Anderson never got in a game too is very weird. Corey was brilliant for Mumbai Indians in the previous season but kept warming the benches this time round. Could he have replaced Buttler will be a question whose answer we'll never know.
The road ahead:
If the management can keep the nucleus of the team intact, next season can be very promising. There is the firepower and ability in the team and if the middle order can fire in the next season, the situation can be entirely different.
Verdict:
They sizzled and then within the blink of an eye fizzled out. With most of the bases covered, this will be a season of only 'if and what if'.
They entertained, frustrated and evoked contrasting emotions, and for all this they get 6 out 10.
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