Abu Dhabi: Mumbai Indians bowed out of the Indian Premier League(IPL) despite registering a handsome 42 run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Sheikh Zyed Stadium. The defending were unable to overtake Kolkata Knight Rider’s Net Run Rate. Mumbai Indians had walked in the game knowing the fact that they needed to win the toss and bat first and win the game by a margin of 171 runs to qualify for the IPL 2021 playoffs.
They did get the opportunity as Rohit Sharma won the toss and Mumbai put on a mammoth 235/9 in 20 overs. As a result they were to dismiss the entire SRH unit at 64 runs or below. however the Hyderabad openers Jason Roy and Abhishek Sharma smashed evryone in the powerplay which meant there was only one way for Mumbai and that to walk out of the tournament without even sealing a place in the play-offs.
Earlier, Mumbai took off the game on a flyer as they got 83 in just the powerplay. Rohit Sharma added just 18 of the 80 run stand with Youngster Ishan Kishan(84) as the young south-paw clobbered everyone out of the park striking a 16 ball half-century. The MI wicket-keeper batsman looked on course for a big knock before edging one to Wridhiman Saha behind stumps just sixteen short of a deserving ton.
Mumbai though lost wickets in bunch as well in the process. Hardik Pandya’s disappointing run of form continued in this match while Kieron Pollard also was unable to step up on an occasion like this.
Hyderbad bowlers, despite getting hammered did managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals after the powerplay. Jason Holder(4/52) topped the charts while star spinner Rashid Khan ended his IPL campaign this season adding a couple of wickets.
Suryakumar Yadav took the responsibility on his shoulders opening his arms right from the word go hitting a breezy 40 ball 82 to get Mumbai past the 230 run mark giving something to hang on.
Just like the batters, the MI bowlers were expected too to get early breakthroughs to their side. However, newly-minted opening pair of Jason Roy(34) and Abhishek Sharma(33) took an all-out aggressive approach going on the attack right from the outset. SRH stormed to 64/1 in 5.1 overs slamming the door of MI for the play-offs. The partnership came to an end Trent Boult sent the hard-hitting stroke maker Roy home with his partner Abhishek following him just after a over later.
Manish Pandey(69) coupled with youngster Priyam Garg(29) joined hand in the rebuilding process stitching a 56 run stand to cut the deficit but, after the departure of the later, the game got difficult for Hyderabad. Pandey did strech the game to the wire however, struggling with cramps and a required rate well over 17 for the last four overs meant he was unable to give it finishing touch.
