IPL 2018, MI vs SRH: 5 reasons why Mumbai Indians lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad 

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This was Mumbai's fifth loss in this year's IPL

To keep their hopes alive to make it to the playoffs, Mumbai Indians were under immense pressure as they took the field against the injury-stricken Sunrisers Hyderabad for the sixth time in this competition at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Winning the toss for the first time, Rohit Sharma and Co. decided to bowl first to put the visitors into bat.

The decision went in their favour as a spirited looking Indians’ attack bowled with pace and consistency to bundle out the Orange army for just 118 runs.

The visitors came all guns blazing to make life difficult for the home team despite defending a low score in the last half of the match.

It was some splendid bowling execution from the young attack that saw them defend a paltry 118 to register fourth win of the tournament by 31 runs.

Let’s take a look at the probable reasons that made Hyderabad succumb to their third consecutive defeat:


#1 Economical spells upfront from SRH bowlers

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The SRH bowlers were impressive even without Bhuvi and Stanlake

Defending a paltry 118, it was important from SRH’s point of view to start well and restrict the opposition under as many runs as possible in the first six overs.

Despite missing the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Billy Stanlake, a young swing bowler in Sandeep Sharma took the onus on himself to not give anything away in the first six overs.

He was bang on with his execution as he not only put the shackles on the scoring rate but also managed to provide his side with an early breakthrough in Evin Lewis.

The end of powerplay already had the home team in some serious pressure with their three wickets down at a score of just 22.

With spinners joining the party, it was always going to be tough for the opposition to get to the total.

#2 Exceptional captaincy from Williamson

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Williamson's plans were executed to perfection

Sunrisers desperately needed a boost to pull off a win in such a low scoring encounter after a dismal batting performance in the first innings.

It was an all-round bowling effort that was ably supported by some exceptional field placements from the skipper.

Being an experienced campaigner, Williamson had an idea of pressure that teams can succumb to after some early breakthroughs.

To put the opposition in a spot of bother, he introduced a slip for Sharma and Kieron Pollard against the spinners which eventually paid off with high dividends as both the batsmen were caught at slip.

Such low-scoring encounters always get the best out of someone like Williamson which involves more of a mental game rather than the implementation of skills.

#3 Dream spell from Rashid Khan

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Rashid Khan was back to his brilliant best after a couple of bad games

The leg-spinner was back on track after two disappointing performances in the last couple of games.

He was impressive with his variation to fox the batsmen on various occasions and kept them guessing with what was coming their way.

He bowled at the crucial junctures of the game and pulled things back for his side in a game that was always in the favour of the chasing side.

He managed to get the big scalp of Krunal Pandya, who was looking good with Surya Kumar Yadav to sting in a partnership to undone some damage made at the top.

Later he bowled a maiden in the 17th over against Hardik Pandya to finish his night with a magical spell of 2 for 11 in his four overs.

#4 Below par batting response from Mumbai batters

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The Mumbai batting order crumbled today

It would be apt to say that the Mumbai Indians have been successful in managing ways to find themselves in a spot of bother from fairly comfortable positions.

In a chase that required less than six an over at the start, nine out of the 10 times, one will fancy the chasing team to win the game.

But the careless attitude and the lack of support for Yadav from the other end made it impossible for the home team to register their second win of the league.

A batting order that boasts of who’s who to feature in the ranks, showed a great amount of immaturity at crucial moments.

It was a game set match situation which was easily ruined by the batting side with none to blame for their irresponsible show.

#5 Death bowling at its very best

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Kaul, along with Thampi, sealed the game for SRH

It was some killer execution of skills forms the SRH bowlers who didn’t give anything away in their might to get the campaign back on track after two defeats on the trot.

They definitely punched above their weights to prevent a formidable Mumbai side to reach anywhere near the target.

Especially in the death overs, when batsmen plan to go after the bowlers, the likes of matured Siddharth Kaul and the young Basil Thampi held their nerves to prevent any major turnaround in the last half of the innings.

Thampi getting the big fish in Yadav, caught in his first over of the innings, set it nicely for Kaul to conclude any further chances for Mumbai to bounce back with his two-wicket over.


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Edited by Alan John