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HomeOpinionDiaryMumbai Indians entering a new era in IPL

Mumbai Indians entering a new era in IPL

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Image COurtesy: HindustanTImes.com

The cauldron that the IPL final is, it can do strange things to you. Then Mumbai fought hard on the field. The bowling had incision and control. It is really sad that cricket is now being played like baseball and old-timers like me who watched test matches and 50/50 are thoroughly disappointed with the present state of cricket. The flow of money and clamour in the game is disgusting. It is hard fact several talented boys/girls in other sports are struggling to participate in international events due to lack of support and sponsors, whereas cricketers are pampered with money from all sides.

A fitting finale. The closest finish. The debates on ifs and buts and blame game are better avoided. All the teams and several players contributed their best and some of them slipped some times. Overall, the 2019 IPL was enjoyable with several close finishes. As a cricket enthusiast, I enjoyed the resurgence of KXIP XI in two matches to grab victory from the jaws of defeat and the way the final two overs bowled by Mumbai Indians to achieve a close finish win to IPL 12.

It was the pity of MS Dhoni, who was playing with spent forces in his squad, had to shoulder additional responsibilities all the time. He should never give room for passengers in the side. CSK has been lucky this season despite fielding a poor team. In the finals, MI allowed them in through poor catching or else Watson would have been out for a poor score. Then the woefully non-performing forces will be sent out with thanks. Thakur was lucky to get de Cock out. Rayudu was always struggling to contribute to double-figure scores. The less said about Raina the better. It is time to infuse young blood. Perhaps Bravo and Tahir may be given last chance.

The two wides ignored by umpire Nitin Menon became crucial. It was a blunder by a field umpire in a final. It would have become more crucial if Mumbai had lost. Why on earth did he decide not to call the two balls wides? I think he should be relegated to Ranji matches for a season or two. And to think that he is a Menon, who gave the last LBW to the surprise of all. The two run outs were turning point and the rag, tag, bobtail Chennai outfit paid a heavy price for being slow on the field.

That the Mumbai Indians had won the IPL final match for the fourth time and this time against the arch-rivals CSK. Obviously, the CSK team players were a dejected lot beside the Cricket fans of this good old city of Chennai too were very disappointed that their home team played the final match away from the city. Thereby depriving the home team off their listless cheering of the Chepauk crowd. CSK team was missing the great noise and support they used to get while they played at Chennai. This will surely dampen the good spirits of the CSK players in the years to come.

Though both the captains of IPL final, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma made no significant contribution with the bat in the match, but they have left no stone unturned and contributed much to the team by giving continuous advice and kept the adrenaline of the cricket fans secret till the last ball of the match is bowled, which was a real treat to watch and to keep it in the memory for the future. Wonderful experience really.

No match is won or lost until the last ball is bowled proved right and MI fully deserve this calculated win. Definitely, the Mumbai Indians played to a plan and the Chennai Super Kings played into their hands from the word go. Anyway, the cricket fans got their money’s worth in a cliffhanger of a game with a pulsating finish at the end favouring the home team.


(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
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