IPL 2024: MI vs LSG: The MI finish bottom of the table for the second time in three years after suffering another loss.
However, the KL Rahul-led team was eliminated from the playoff race despite the Lucknow Super Giants’ significant victory at Wankhede Stadium following a pair of humiliating losses. This was due to the team’s inability to increase their net run rate. As things stand, the number four place will be occupied by either Chennai Super Kings or Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Hardik Pandya chose to bowl first after winning the toss in the high-stakes match. Their defeat at the hands of LSG was partly due to his decision to make a few roster changes. It was expensive to leave Jasprit Bumrah out of the starting XI since Arjun Tendulkar, who took his position, was injured and was unable to reach his quota. Although Rahul eventually reached a half-century, his strike rate was once again under scrutiny due to his partner Nicholas Pooran’s incredible middle-order performance, which saw him smash 75 runs off of just 29 balls.
Dewald Brevis was asked to start alongside Rohit Sharma after being moved up in the order for the chase. Even though he scored 23 runs off of 20 balls, the young South African cricket player was unable to leave much of an impression. Mumbai were in for a treat today as their own, Rohit, played some excellent cricket and made 68 runs off of 38 balls. He was unable to capitalise in the powerplay.
Nevertheless, MI unable to capitalise on their middle order’s lack of production, and even with Naman Dhir’s last 62* runs off 28 deliveries, they lost the game by 18 runs.
1. Could this be Rahul and Rohit’s final match?
As of right now, it’s too early to corroborate the reports; Rahul and Rohit most likely played their final game for their respective teams. Rahul, who is said to have had a falling out with owner Sanjeev Goenka, scored 55 runs off of 41 balls against Mumbai, a performance that may not have pleased the LSG manager. Although Rahul’s strike rate was, to put it mildly, dismal, the surface was ideal for the hitters to do effectively.
Regarding Rohit, there are some rumours that he may depart Mumbai prior to the 2025 Indian Premier League. During the game, he was seen signing an autograph for Romario Shepherd, which confirmed the rumours. But a lot can happen in a few months, and both might end up staying in their respective franchises.
2. Nicholas Pooran‘s dependability
Nicholas Pooran’s consistency has been a major asset for LSG this season. The West Indies international was heavily invested in, but there were many doubts about his consistency. But Pooran was excellent this season, and LSG will undoubtedly prefer to keep him on board for the upcoming year.
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3. The performance of Hardik Pandya
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The form of Hardik Pandya is extremely concerning, particularly in light of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The all-rounder hasn’t performed well this season, and even against LSG, he didn’t look good. The 30-year-old’s campaign type is eventually evident in the fact that he has given up more runs with the ball than he has scored with the bat.
Losing skipper Hardik Pandya said:
Quite difficult. Did not play good quality cricket, eventually costed us the whole season. It’s a professional world. Have to always come out and put our best foot forward. But yes, as a group we could not play quality cricket or smart cricket. Too early to point out what went wrong. The whole season kind of went wrong. We can pass this game as another one (that went wrong).
Winning skipper KL Rahul said:
Very disappointing. At the start of the season, I felt we had a very strong season and most basis covered. Couple of injuries happen to every season and team but the guys who went away dented us a little bit. We didn’t play well enough collectively and couldn’t come together as much as we wanted to. Today was the kind of game we wanted to play more when the bowlers and batters both come together. Really happy for them (the youngsters), we spent a lot of time and energy with the squad, the support staff and we had sent Mayank and Yudhvir to South Africa to train with Morkel.
They got good facilities to train with. (Will he continute to open in T20s?) Maybe, maybe not, there’s not much T20 cricket coming up [for me] now. It depends on where I stand and what I need to do to get back in the team, I’ll think about what the team needs. (Was Pooran batting too low down the order?) Not really, we’d have ideally wanted him to bat higher but how the teams line up is how the international players slot to absorb the pressure. Once Stoinins was at No. 3, we couldn’t have had Pooran after him to have them bat in the 8th or 9th over together.
POTM Nicholas Pooran said:
Personally, I just had to do my job which is find a way in the situation and finish. Coming into the season I knew what my game would be. I have been inconsistent as well, I’d be fair to myself, so wanted to get some experience and make it count. (His ideal batting number) I batted from Nos. 3 to 7 but if I had to choose, I like the powerplay as well. I can’t be selfish and choose. I can bat at any position and that’s my strength.
I’m just happy that I can do that. I’m just blessed, really grateful to have a second chance to play this game. Eight years ago when I had that accident, I thought I want to enjoy every game and every chance I get. Cricket and sport is really difficult, it takes time. I’m just happy teams are backing me and giving me a chance to play. All the fans of the world who support me as well, I’m just happy I can go out there and entertain. The World Cup is there now, it’s back home and we’re all looking forward to all playing together and doing something great for the people of Caribbean.
India
