Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians slipped to their third straight loss in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League, following an 18-run loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The Reason
One of the major reasons for the team’s loss in this particular match, according to experts, was the lack of disciplined bowling from the experienced bowling lineup that MI has at its disposal.
The Performance
The likes of Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner were ineffective in their first spell, although they did make a strong comeback at the backend of the innings by restricting the opposition to a getable total of 240 runs, but the damage had already been done in the first 15 overs.
Another reason as to why MI lost the match was the lack of wickets in the middle overs courtesy oc their spin bowling attack, which comprised of Mayank Markande along with Santner and was taken to the cleaners, especially by Rajat Patidar, who scored a quick-fire half-century to help his team post an above-par total on the board.
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The Form
Many people are associating MI’s performance, or the lack of it, with the dip in the form of Jasprit Bumrah, as far as picking wickets is concerned. MI’s fast bowling spearhead is yet to pick up a wicket in IPL 2026.
Expert’s Corner
Former off-spinner R Ashwin has come to the defence of Jasprit Bumrah, saying that MI’s poor performance has nothing to do with Jasprit Bumrah’s lack of wickets.
“The lack of wickets narrative for Bumrah can hamper the team’s cause! Him nailing yorkers and choking the opposition for every single run is even more important than him looking to get wickets, especially in venues like the Wankhede”, said Ashwin.
The Support
Ashwin was of the opinion that bowling in T20 cricket needs bowling groups to be defensive at times, along with being disciplined from both ends, as a bowler who is bowling well on that particular day can’t bowl four overs on the trot.
In the words of Ashwin, “When you can’t bowl overs on the trot, your wicket-taking ability depends on your partners who hand the over to you.
“We have had so many years of T20 cricket now, and bowling in partnerships as a defensive group is still a seed in the minds of bowling groups. Malinga nailed it when he spoke during the 10th over mark”, he added.
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