Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings Match Review

What can I say except that I am really happy to see the team not give up till the end? No one really expected Mumbai Indians to win this game, and although we have seen some upsets already in the IPL, I wasn't very optimistic at the start of the game. But given the close manner of defeat, it does hurt.

Close games usually tend to mask the flaws in the team, but Mumbai's flaws were obvious in this game. As in the last game, they were a bowler short, and while Nehra turned in a better performance, Pollock had an off day. With the fifth bowler's quota being filled up by part timers, Mumbai were always looking at chasing a huge total.

Dhaval Kulkarni was impressive again. He showed good composure, picking up Hussey's wicket. And then, inexplicably, Bhajji took him off and introduced Bravo into the attack. This backfired as Bravo went for a few runs, and when Kulkarni was brought back, it was towards the end of the game where Dhoni and Hayden were going for their shots. Mumbai had managed to pull the run rate back a bit during Kulkarni's first spell, and it would have been interesting to see what would have happened had Bhajji bowled out Kulkarni in that period.

To win, Mumbai needed either one of the top 3 to play a long innings, or to get a couple of quick 40s from them. Unfortunately, neither happened, and almost every batsman got out after getting set in, just when it looked like they might be taking control of the innings.

In batting, Mumbai really miss Tendulkar's presence. There is no reliable middle order in the team besides Nayar, and for Mumbai to notch up victories, the top order must fire beyond the cameos. Today, Mumbai needed either one of the top 3 to play a long innings, or to get a couple of quick 40s from them. Unfortunately, neither happened, and almost every batsman got out just when they looked like taking control of the innings.

Abhishek Nayar again showed his quality with a brilliant 45 off just 20 balls, and with Bhajji, shared a thrilling partnership which almost took Mumbai to victory. Someone compared Nayar to Lance Klusener, and like Klusener, Nayar scored two fours of the first two balls of the last over. And then, again, like Klusener, was seized by a moment of madness, as he took a single of a no ball to turn the strike, and the free hit, over to Nehra of all people! Having played a crucial role in getting Mumbai so far, I won't blame Nayar for the defeat. But, had he not taken the single, 10 off 4 with him on strike was a definite possibility.

While the gap in quality between Mumbai and some of the other teams, such as the Super Kings or the Knight Riders is readily apparent, what is heartening is that Mumbai have run both their games to close finishes with some great team performances. Today's performance gives me hope that this team can get to the semi-finals. There is still a long way to go, with 12 more games to play, and anything can happen between now and the end of the league. For the present, I predict a Mumbai win on Friday against Kings XI Punjab.