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regular-article-logo Sunday, 02 June 2024

Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians lose way after Rohit Sharma’s departure

Many of the die-hard Mumbai Indians fans believe that the five-time IPL winning captain will not remain with the franchise next season when the mega auction takes place

Our Bureau Calcutta Published 18.05.24, 10:01 AM
Lucknow Super Giants’ Nicholas Pooran en route to his29-ball 75 against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede on Friday.

Lucknow Super Giants’ Nicholas Pooran en route to his29-ball 75 against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede on Friday. IPL

In a match of little consequence, the buzz around the Wankhede Stadium was whether Friday’s encounter would be Rohit Sharma’s final match in Mumbai Indians colours.

The former captain blasted 68 off 38 balls with 10 boundaries and three sixes, including an 88-run opening stand with Dewald Brevis. It, however, wasn’t enough for Mumbai Indians to chase down 215 and they ended their campaign with an 18-run loss.

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Many of the die-hard Mumbai Indians fans believe that the five-time IPL winning captain will not remain with the franchise next season when the mega auction takes place. He walked off to a standing ovation after being dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi in the 11th over.

Once Suryakumar Yadav’s catch was held by a juggling Bishnoi and Rohit departed, the home team lost way. First, Hardik Pandya was undone by left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan, and then, Nehal Wadhera was dismissed by Bishnoi’s googly.

Lucknow Super Giants finished with 14 points but an inferior net run-rate has put them out of the reckoning for a playoffs berth.

Earlier, Aysuh Badoni’s 10-ball 22 in the closing stages helped LSG finish on a strong 214/6. It all started with Nicholas Pooran’s 75 off 29 balls which included a 19-ball half century. That set the momentum and LSG never looked back.

A sluggish half-century from KL Rahul and a sedate 28 off 22 from Marcus Stoinis dragged them into a tricky position after 10 overs before Pooran’s knock changed the complexion of this innings.

The Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, was at the Wankhede to witness the IPL match.

Struggling for momentum on what appeared to be a two-paced wicket, LSG could only manage 69/3 at the halfway stage but Pooran’s stunning knock made up for another shoddy Powerplay effort by Rahul.

Mumbai Indians’ bowling woes persisted with skipper Hardik Pandya using as many as eight bowlers.

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