After the IPL 6 champions Mumbai Indians stumbled in the Eliminator stage against Chennai Super Kings, we analyse the possible reasons for the loss
MI paceman Jasprit Bumrah's reaction says it all. Pic/Suresh KK
Lendl Simmons goes, momentum follows
1.Everything seemed to be going Mumbai Indians' way till the end of the 16th over. At 140-2, they were perfectly placed to end their innings with a flourish. But, not for the first time in the competition did they let down their guard and ended up finishing at a competitive 173-8. They lost the in-form opener Lendl Simmons (67) on the fourth ball of the 17th over and completely lost the momentum thereafter.
Failure to tackle Ashwin
2.Even as the MI top-order was navigating its way through the middle overs eyeing a handsome total, CSK skipper MS Dhoni played a shrewd hand, letting off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin slip in his four overs in a hurry. The results were there for all to see. He emerged the most economical bowler, taking 1-26 at an economy rate of 6.50, the best for the evening.
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Reprieve for Smith
3.Every little decision matters in a T20 game, and CSK were distinctly lucky to have destructive opener Dwayne Smith still in the middle when umpire Bruce Oxenford turned down a huge leg-before appeal off Praveen Kumar in the third over. Smith, who was on six at that stage, played an able hand before getting out for 24 and put on 60 with fellow opener Faf du Plessis.
MI paceman Jasprit Bumrah's reaction says it all. Pic/Suresh KK
Missing Malinga
4.With MI managing a fighting 173, they desperately needed the services of their talisman, Lasith Malinga, to keep the CSK top-order in check. Alas, he is away on international duty for Sri Lanka. Although Praveen Kumar bowled his heart out, giving away 27 off his four overs, the other pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Corey Anderson barely troubled their opponents.
Raina the guiding light
5.CSK read the game superbly, and although off-spinner Harbhajan Singh brought MI back into the contest with two wickets in the seventh over, their opponents ensured no panic attack set in within their ranks. Suresh Raina played no small role in managing things brilliantly in David Hussey's company. The duo put on 89 runs with man-of-the-match Raina staying unbeaten on 54 and Hussey on 40.
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