It was one of those nail-biting games where we fell a couple of steps short of returning to winning ways, falling short of Kolkata Knight Riders’ target by 24 runs. It was a must win game for us, and sadly, like a few other tough games in the past, this one slipped away too. 

But there was a moment for all of us to savour, as veteran spinner Piyush Chawla became the second-highest wicket-taker in the IPL with 184 wickets, going past Dwayne Bravo in the process.

“It has been a beautiful journey because the IPL started 17 years ago, and at that time, nobody gave that much preference to spinners. But now, if you see that in the top few wicket-takers in India, especially all the spinners, Ashwin, Yuzi (Yuzvendra Chahal), and myself. So it's a good feeling,” Piyush said at the post-match conference at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday (May 3).

When asked whether he keeps track of his milestones and celebrates them, PC, the ultimate team man, wasn’t one to cherish something that didn’t contribute to his team’s win.

“We didn't win, so all (milestone joy) went in vain. At the end of the day, if you take a fifer and your team doesn't win, that's useless. And I don't keep track that much,” he said.

“I keep track of my batting, although I got out for zero today,” he added on a lighter note.

“But bowling wise, I enjoy the game, no matter what level I am playing, because IPL is a different challenge altogether. But even if you see me in domestic cricket, I am always there with that same passion and energy because this is what I love to do. I have been playing the IPL for 17 years; before that, I played junior cricket and stuff. So, it's been a beautiful journey for over 22 years.”

Turning his attention to questions about the game and MI’s form so far, Piyush first explained that a drop in momentum was something all teams have gone through.

“Well, as a unit, I won't say it's about just the batting or just the bowling. It's just the complete unit. Because you must have often heard that T20 cricket is all about momentum, we didn't get that momentum going this season, and it can happen to any team,” he said.

“It's not like it's happening to us for the first time or any other team for the second time. It can happen to anyone. It's just that that momentum was not our way.

“Like today, people thought chasing 170 runs at the Wankhede would be a cakewalk. But the wicket was different today. It was a bit sticky. The ball was stopping and coming. Sometimes, the form is not with you as a unit, and these things can happen. It hurts as well, but you have to accept that.”

Considering all the permutations and combinations following today’s loss, what’s it then that the whole MI Paltan can hope for from the team over the next three games, given that the chances of making it to the playoffs look bleak.

“Well, we will play for our pride and the reputation,” he said on the mission going ahead.

“Sometimes, when you enter the field, you don't consider whether you will qualify. You have to play for your name, and that's what we are playing for.”

A few days from now, we will be back in action at our home. We will enter the Colosseum with a headstrong pride to take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad challenge. Paltan, we know you’ll be there with us at every moment and power us up with your infectious enthusiasm and support. Now, it is not a fight for the playoffs but a fight to bounce back and hold our heads up high!