IPL 2018: MI vs DD: 5 reasons why Mumbai Indians lost

This Mumbai's third defeat on the trot

Both Mumbai and Delhi came into the match with back to back losses in their previous two games. Hence, it was a vital game for both the teams. As has been the trend in this year’s IPL, Gautam Gambhir won the toss and asked Mumbai Indians to bat first.

The Mumbai side got off to a blistering start courtesy some explosive hitting by Evin Lewis and Suryakumar Yadav.

The duo smashed Delhi’s bowlers all over the park. Delhi’s bowlers managed to apply the brakes on the scoring rate at the fag end of Mumbai’s innings.

Chasing a stiff target of 195, Delhi daredevils rode on some exhilarating stroke play from Jason Roy and Rishabh Pant to stumble home in another tight encounter.

Let us have a look at the five reasons why the Mumbai Indians lost the exciting contest.

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#1 Failure to capitalise on a strong start

Rohit Sharma's woes with the bat continue in the IPL

Mumbai got off to a dream start courtesy some lusty hitting by Lewis and Yadav. Having amassed 84 runs of the powerplay, Mumbai looked set to score in excess of 220.

However, some ordinary batting combined with some good bowling from Delhi meant that they could not even cross the 200 mark.

Rahul Tewatia bowled a tight spell in the middle and got the crucial wickets of the openers. Maxwell also chipped in with some tight overs, conceding 21 runs off his three overs.

These two managed to put a stranglehold on Mumbai’s scoring rate as Rohit Sharma failed to get going.

#2 Excellent death bowling from Delhi

The Delhi bowlers did well to contain the Mumbai batsmen

Mumbai were 158/2 at the end of 15 overs. With Ishan Kishan going great guns, it looked impossible for Delhi to contain them below 200.

However, Dan Christian got the important wickets of Kishan and Pollard of consecutive deliveries and Mumbai were pegged back a little.

Trent Boult outfoxed Sharma with his off cutter and conceded just seven runs off the 18th over.

Shami then bowled a dream over, conceding just four runs and picking up the wicket of Krunal Pandya in the process.

In the end, Mumbai struggled to a score of 194 when 220 looked well on the cards.

#3 Jason Roy’s blistering start

Roy made his bow in IPL 2018 with a blistering innings

Colin Munro has been one of the form players in T20 cricket. Delhi’s team management made the bold call of playing Roy for Munro and the move paid off as the Englishman destroyed Mumbai’s bowling attack.

He single-handedly got Delhi off to a flier courtesy of some massive hits on the leg side. Roy had a special liking for Hardik Pandya whom he smashed for two gigantic sixes.

He was also very sensible with his batting as he respected the good deliveries and took a heavy toll on the bad ones. With 11 needed off the last over, Roy smashed Mustafizur for a four and a six. His knock of 91 runs of 53 balls was the difference between the two sides.

#4 Powerful Pant

Pant was severe on the Mumbai Indians' spinners

Delhi Daredevils have invested a lot in Rishabh Pant over the past few years. Having been retained at the auctions, a lot is expected of Pant this season.

Pant did not disappoint his fans today as he played a powerful knock of 47 runs off just 25 balls.

He was particularly severe on the young leggie Markande whom he pulled and cut with brute power.

Pant then smashed the mystery spinner Dhananjaya for two huge sixes. That 19 run over brought the required run rate under control for Delhi.

Pant has been on the fringes of team India for long. This might well be the season through which he cements his place in the Indian team.

#5 Off day for Markande

Markande failed to deliver against Delhi

Mayank Markande has been the leading wicket-taker in this year’s IPL. He bowled magnificently against CSK as well as the Sunrisers.

With Delhi’s Tewatia bowling some tight overs, a lot was expected of Markande but he failed to deliver.

His googlies were picked with ease by Pant and were duly dispatched to the boundary. Glenn Maxwell also launched into the young leggie, smashing a four and a six off him.

Markande struggled with his length today and was guilty of bowling too short. His three overs went for a whopping 42 runs.