A High Stakes Contest
The scenes at Ahmedabad were unprecedented as Mumbai Indians travelled to Ahmedabad to face Gujarat Titans in their much anticipated, high octane season opener on Sunday night. The stakes were high as Hardik Pandya had crossed over to MI from GT, replacing Rohit Sharma as Captain, causing much heart burn for fans from both sides. MI did well for most parts of the match, but a belligerent GT, crawled back and tripped MI to the finish, handing Shubhman Gill a famous victory as he debuted as captain for GT.
Hardik Faces Backlash
Hardik would never have expected being on the wrong side of the thousands gathered at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Boos and jeers galore was the scene as Hardik tried to exhibit complete control on his team, even making Rohit Sharma field at long on ( I have never seen him field in that position ). There was adrenaline pumping and for once I felt Hardik was not enjoying his stay on the field. His face said it all, though he did put up a brave front.
MI Make Heavy Weather of a Small Target
GT managed to reach 168 in their 20 overs at the back of some brilliant bowling from Bumrah who was miserly in his spell and scalped three wickets too. The target was easily chaseable for the quality of batting in the MI line-up, but they did not start well. Ishan Kishan’s much anticipated comeback was a whimper as he went for a duck. Rohit and Dewald Brewis batted well and got MI in striking distance of the target, but then the wily Mohit Sharma and the rookie Spencer Johnson got quick wickets and MI from a seemingly winnable position began to disintegrate.
GT Snatch A Famous Win
Hardik kept on delaying his arrival and by the time he got to face a ball, 19 were required from the last over. Umesh Yadav went for 10 of the first two balls, but then with the help of those slow, turning short balls, got the better of Hardik and GT snatched a great win from a distraught MI Camp. MI were eventually tamed by the Titans.
MI : The Poor Starters
MI have never been great starters in IPL history. But this looks different to me. Their body language needs huge improvement. Even when chasing, they did not look that confident and once the partnership between Brewis and Rohit was broken, it was all down hill. Hardik’s strategies too came in for some criticism as well. However, MI is a terrific franchise and they would be looking to come back strongly when they play their next match at home.
Sanju Sparkles As RR beat LSG at Jaipur
In the other match of the day, Sanju Samson played a beautiful chanceless innings against Lucknow Super Giants at Jaipur. Chasing 194 for a win LSG boasting of a decent batting line up succumbed for just 173, losing by 20 runs. KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran scored fifties, and it appeared at one stage that LSG would hunt down the target. But Rahul’s dismissal and some smart bowling from RR at the death, ensured a comfortable victory for the Royals. LSG need to make amends and have to look both at their bowling and batting, when they play their next match in Lucknow on 30th.
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Featured Image : A lot to ponder for Hardik and Team