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IPL 2021: A recap at Mumbai Indians' season so far

By Mumbai Indians

It has been an interesting yet familiar journey this IPL too for the Mumbai Indians - starting off with a loss and eventually finding momentum to deliver when it was needed the most. While things didn’t always go as planned, the team stuck around and ensured they pulled the wind towards themselves eventually.

The IPL 2021 journey started in Chennai’s Chepauk stadium, a slow, spinners-aiding pitch as opposed to batters-loving Wankhede that the Mumbai Indians call their home. Sure the conditions were a challenge, but the team was ready for it!

MI played their IPL 2021 opener against RCB. Having lost every opening match since 2013, MI would’ve liked to break that jinx. However, RCB edged out MI by 2 wickets in a closely fought encounter.

Next, the Men in Blue and Gold played KKR, against whom the team enjoys a win record like no other. A half-century from Suryakumar Yadav and a 4-wicket haul from Rahul Chahar turned the tide in MI’s favour, beating KKR by 10 runs.

Then, it was the Orange Army challenge that the team had in store next. They had to face SRH, a team that hadn’t opened itxs account and was raring to go. With just 150 on board to defend, MI went all out with Chahar and Trent Boult taking up a 3-wicket haul each, managing to snatch a 13-run win from the claws of defeat, having ensured all ten wickets fell for SRH.

Having won two games back-to-back gave the team a glimpse of hope of resurrection after the loss in the opener. However, the rest of the Chennai leg didn’t go as planned for the team. When MI met last year’s finalists, Delhi Capitals, in a low scoring game, the latter won by a 6 wicket margin, making it 2 wins and 2 losses for the Men in Blue and Gold, with another game to go at Chennai.

They faced Punjab Kings next in yet another low-scoring game. Mumbai Indians could only put up 131 runs on board, which the newly named team, PBKS, chased down with ease, winning the contest by 9 wickets. MI left Chennai with three losses and two wins, and with lots of motivation to make things right further.

Delhi’s Arun Jaitley stadium came as a welcome change. Rajasthan Royals, batting first, stacked up a total of 171/4, a score MI would be touching for the first time in the entire season if they chased it down. However, a Quinton de Kock special, 70 (50), ensured the team it’s first win in Delhi. The 7-wicket victory pulled back the win-loss numbers to 3-3, with MI gaining momentum once again.

Then came the much-awaited encounter against Chennai Super Kings. A match that looked like it was CSK’s right from when they started to bat in the first innings. An excellent knock by Ambati Rayudu, 72* (27) took CSK to 218/4, a total MI had never chased before.

At 81/3 in the 10th over, the Men in Blue and Gold definitely didn’t look like it was going according to their plan. However, Big Man Pollard, with a “Never. Write. Us. Off.” attitude, scored a sensational 87* (34), a joint fastest half century for MI, to achieve a comeback like no other and win the match by four wickets.

This thrilling game would, unfortunately, be the last of MI that we would see in the first leg of IPL 2021. The second half was rescheduled to 19th September, which will once again see the clash between CSK and MI.

Currently, the Men in Blue and Gold stand at the fourth position on the points table with 8 points. They’re just below RCB and CSK, both of whom have 10 each, and current table toppers Delhi Capitals, who stand at 12 points.

The first leg of IPL 2021 brought out some memorable performers in the team. Rahul Chahar, who had a good run in IPL 2020 at the UAE, enjoyed a great first half. He’s been exceptional with the ball, with 11 wickets so far, the most for an MI bowler. He is just four wickets away from his personal season best, a record he will look forward to overshadowing.

Chahar also has an economy rate of 7.21, and the best strike rate he’s registered in a season - 15.27. With seven more games to go, the young lad, who has quickly risen to become MI’s most trusted spinner, shows lots of promise. Fans and colleagues alike will await to see him catch his prey.

With the bat, it is captain Rohit Sharma who has led from the front. So far, he has accumulated 250 runs with a 35+ average. His strike rate is at 127.69, he has consistently given MI the start the team needs to build a healthy total.

We’re only half done, and the other half of the season is around the corner. Excitement is building up, the Paltan will be back in the stadium, and of course, we all will get to see the Men in Blue and Gold put out their best again!

Here’s sending the team lots of good wishes ahead of their first encounter post resumption on September 19th, 2021, at Dubai International stadium.