Mumbai Indians recorded its second win in 5 matches and it has become news. The team is always thinking in terms of home wins to make up the lost ground and this time round also they are sailing in the same boat like last year. The pity is that Mumbai outfit is behind in net run rate and is running in minus status than the other top teams in the competition. Rohit Sharma made his presence as captain and went on to score a stylish 62. In the absence of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli opened and failed to score quickly which put pressure on the innovative Ab de Villiers. Even though runs came in rapid rate in the end overs, heap of wickets in the last two over put paid the hopes of Royal Challengers, Bangalore. Despite the failure of Harbhajan Singh to be among the wickets, K. Pandya did well to get both the prized scalps of Kohli and de Villiers. MI played to a plan and kept the wickets for final onslaught. Kiron Pollard make it big with a pulsating innings of 40 from 19 balls to pave for victory with twelve balls to spare. Royal Challengers lack quality pace bowlers and that put paid their hopes in the end. In all Mumbai team made up for their earlier loses but could not bring NRR to plus status and lag behind after playing five matches. The march of Mumbai Indians is a news for local fans but the performance of team should prune up if they really wish to be among top four in the final stages of the IPL 9 championship.
Jayanthy S. Maniam
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
