IPL 2017, MI vs KXIP: 5 things that went wrong for Mumbai Indians

The Wankhede lived up to its reputation of being a high-scoring ground as we witnessed a run-fest when Mumbai Indians took on Kings XI Punjab. While Punjab needed two crucial points in order to stay alive in the contention for the play-offs, Mumbai Indians were looking to get back to winning ways after their loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

However, it was the visitors who came out on top, thanks to a brilliant last over from Mohit Sharma who tied down the rampaging Kieron Pollard to defend 16 runs. There were no favourites till the last over was bowled and Punjab will now breathe a lot easier after the hard-earned win over the table toppers.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma, the MI skipper, won the toss and decided to bowl first very much adhering to the trend. But, the Punjab openers, Wriddhiman Saha and Martin Guptill got them off to a flier as they added 68 runs for the first wicket. The carnage continued even after Guptill fell victim to Karn Sharma after scoring 36 in just 18 balls.

Glenn Maxwell smashed his way to 47 runs in just 21 balls and laid the perfect platform for the middle order to go for broke. Saha was brilliant on the night as he kept hitting boundaries at will and remained not out on 93. And a 13-ball 19 cameo from Axar Patel pushed the target further to 230.

Though MI got a perfect start to the chase, they kept losing wickets regularly and that hurt them. Kieron Pollard’s heroics weren’t enough for the day as MI fell agonisingly short.

Here are 5 things that went wrong for Mumbai Indians:

#1 Failing to make early inroads

On a flat surface such as Wankhede, against a team that heavily depend on their batting, MI’s failure to get early wickets was a blow. And probably the main reason why they lost this game.

MI bowlers didn’t have any answer to the onslaught from the opening duo of Punjab.

While they couldn’t get wickets, MI kept leaking runs as well. The power play set the stage perfectly for Glenn Maxwell to go and express himself. And once the Punjab skipper got going there was no stopping him.

#2 Harbhajan having an off-day

Harbhajan was taken to the cleaners by KXIP

Rohit Sharma has often turned to Harbhajan when in crisis and the veteran has provided control almost every time. But today was a bad day at the office for the off-spinner.

Both Glenn Maxwell and Wriddhiman Saha attacked Harbhajan and never let him settle down. In the three overs that he bowled the spinner went for 45 runs. He has often curtailed the run-flow in the middle overs for MI.

In the last game, he managed to bowl just one dot ball which summed up his night. He also went for five sixes, the most conceded by any bowler in the game.

#3 Lasith Malinga being a liability

Malinga isn’t the same bowler anymore

MI have persisted with Malinga despite his struggles with the ball lately. The experienced bowler has failed to live up his lofty standards.

He had another forgettable outing with the ball as he was taken to the cleaners by Punjab batsmen. In his fours overs, the Sri Lankan leaked 45 runs and couldn’t get any wickets.

There isn’t that unpredictability in his bowling anymore and Punjab batsmen seemed to know exactly what was coming their way. With the playoffs fast approaching, MI will hope that their stalwart gets back to his best form.

#4 Losing both the openers in quick succession

MI needed Simmons or Patel to stay longer at the crease

In reply to 230, Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons began the chase brilliantly as they smacked all the Punjab bowlers with equal disdain. The openers added 99 runs in 8.4 overs for the first wicket and the chase looked in control.

But both the batsmen got out in a span of 13 runs and that meant MI had to rebuild. The batsmen who followed struggled to find the boundaries regularly and the required rate kept creeping up.

If one of the openers had stayed at the crease a bit longer, MI would have had a better chance of winning this game.

#5 Rohit Sharma and Nitish Rana falling early

Rana has petered out after a good start

After losing both the openers MI would have loved to get a partnership going. But Nitish Rana, who walked in number three, lost his wicket for just 12 runs. And Rohit Sharma soon followed as he mistimed one and was dismissed for just five runs. MI lost these two wickets in a span of six deliveries and that put two new batsmen at the crease once again.

Both the batsmen had won games single-handedly earlier in the tournament and their contribution would have helped MI’s cause.

After a brilliant start to the tournament, Rana has faded away and MI would hope that the youngster scores some runs before entering playoffs as he is a key batsman at number three.