I hated the hype IPL created... I hated the amount of money team Mumbai spent..
but I did support them (you see I am in Mumbai for 4 years now). The start to the IPL was disastrous, back to back close encounters with Chennai Super Kings and Royal challengers and loss in both matches were quite something for Mumbai Indians to digest. It wasn't all, before they could try to come back and do something, superb performance by Kings XI Punjab restricted Mumbai Indians to a score of 116 (while chasing) and like it wasn't enough, Bhajji slapped Sreesanth and it looked like MI's campaign is over. And just to add to that, thunderous Gilchrist added tremendous pain to MI's campaign. Although, I supported them but I was hesitating in openly admitting that (you can call me glory hunter :(( ). Now one can argue that shift of captaincy from Bhajji to Pollock is key to Mumbai's success, but I would rather say Mumbai Indians won because they wanted to prove themselves after four consecutive losses and they wanted to show that they can play without Sachin and Bhajji as well (I mean they definitely are good to have in team, but team is good enough without them as well). And what a win!! Bravo!!!
The pressure on players was tremendous and in addition Sachin's injury and Harbhajan's ban was agonizing for team Mumbai but they played as a team and they beat highflying (at that time) Kolkata Knight Riders. It was like the first drop of blood which awakes the disastrous animal inside a not so scary lion's body. Robin Uthappa played some good innings and tight bowling from Nehra, Sehwag, Jayasurya and all round performance of Bravo lead to first victory.
People argued it was Mumbai's luck, many were not sure about there capability and on top of that they were lined up against Delhi Daredevils with Sehwag in demolishing form. It looked like Mumbai will again lose. Delhi looked like certain winners. The match was scheduled on 4th May in DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai. Shaun Pollock was leading Mumbai Indians. Before match I thought Mumbai doesn't stand a chance, but they managed to win against DD, at that time it looked like it was luck to Mumbai and bad day to DD.
The hope for reaching in semifinals still looked like a distant dream and they were lined against Rajasthan Royals (the other team I support). I am telling you, there is not other captain neither coach better than Shane Warne in IPL 08 (believe me or see the facts to believe it). Even after a win against then topflying Delhi Daredevils, It looked certain like Rajasthan Royals will continue their winning spree (they won all matches except there loss in opening game to DD). Mumbai Indians were fielding first and Mumbai bowlers bowled brilliantly on slow pitch, mixing bounce and movement. They restricted Rajasthan ROyals to a mere 103. But it was Shane Warne and co. on other end, you can't just say that 104 is easy score (against RR). Shane Warne lead his team in positive manner and they looked for wickets to change the scenario of game. They managed to get few wickets and they kept MI in pressure. Hats off to Warne and RR, they played positively and they were very competitive till the time MI managed to score 90 runs, after that Uthappa fired some shots to seal an easy looking win (but ask players, they wont say it was easy).
Now Mumbai Indians, the team who lost 4 of their opening games have won three matches in succession and they have beaten Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals in that process. Just forget 4 consecutive losses, Slapgate drama and Sachin's injury for a while and look at the team who has won 3 consecutive games against the teams who looked like surely booking berth in semifinals. With three wins, Mumbai managed to come to 6 th place, above the two teams which have had terrible season so far ( I remind you, both teams won against Mumbai Indians ). Now the distant dream of booking a berth in semifinal was looking like an achievable feat. The good thing with team Mumbai was that they beat the teams above them in table, this way they took two points and restricted top teams to lesser points, had MI lost any of this match and point difference between Mumbai and that team would have been four more(2 for not winning, 2 additional to them for winning. Three wins from three games was a solid booster for team Mumbai and rumours of Sachin Tendulkar making his debut overtook half of the news in India. The team was excited to have Sachin Tendulkar on the ground. The team wanted to keep winning momentum going, but they were forced a 7 day gap due to elections in Karnataka. Match against Bangalore Royal Challengers shiftet from 10th May to 28th, later in some month. The gap came as a blessing in disguise, the gap gave little Master, Master Blaster, the living legend, the cricketing GOD, the one and only Sachin Tendulkar, more time to recover from injury.
[Sachin's return gave me a lot of virtual money in cricXchange as well ;) ]
Now Mumbai Indians were lined up against Chennai, who lost some matches and they just beat KXIP and they were looking good. A lot of expectations from Sachin Tendulkar, tremendous enthusiasm all around Wankhede stadium. It was 14 of may 2008, Sachin Tendulkar made his debut in IPL, he took captaincy from Shaun Pollock. Every Mumbai Indian supported and more importantly team was boosted by his first game in IPL. MI won toss and elected to field first. The wait to see Sachin batting along with Sanath Jayasuriya (the Sri-lankan cricketing icon) was postponed to one more inning. Everyone was looking for a great batting from the solid looking Mumbai Indians opening line up but it was bowlers who drew all the attentions. Scintillating Shaun with disciplined bowling of other partners blown away Chennai's top order. Mumbai looked like restricting them to a small score. CSK captain M. S. Dhoni (one who leaded team India to T20 world cup crown in first ever world cup) and the domestic hero Badrinath played some good disciplined inning, both hit half century and took CSK to 156, a decent position. It looked like a competitive score because Chennai top order strugguled on this pitch. Then the moment for which we all were waiting, finally came. Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya, two short men, but huuuggeeee name in cricket made their way into ground. All crowd, everyone, and all we, who were watching on TV, were excited to see Sachin making his debut. The show began. Sachin and Jayasuriya started. As soon as game started, Sanath Jayasuriya took all the attention towards him, he hit some fantabulous shots, it was like a rain of sixes. and showers of fours too. But mind you, it was Sachin who hit first six. As soon as Sachin saw Jayasuriya blasting all the bowlers in every direction, he shifted his gears and changed strike and gave more opportunity to Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya did not leave a single bowler, he blasted hell lot of sixes and fours in all the directions. All who were came to watch Sachin must've been singing songs for Sanath. Dhoni was looking helpless. He trusted Joginder Sharma (who is not a great bowler but Dhoni managed to get great results from him, even in world cup). And he did give a shocker to Mumbai Indians and all the supporters. He took wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, bowled him but it was nothing to stop Sanath. Then came the most important part of the game, Sanath Vs Murali, the two big names of Srilankan cricket, those 2-3 overs were really awesome. Now, Mumbai Indians looked like winning fourth consecutive game (presence of Sanath on the pitch din't gave place to a single doubt in Mind) and it was important from the point of view of Run Rate as well (Gilly's demolition. Scintillating Sanath did not just boost confidence and points of Mumbai Indians, he also improved run rate and more importantly he managed to score a century (114*) in a game where we needed 157. Three consecutive sixes in final over and many other, a must watch inning. Now, Mumbai Indians were back in business with 8 points from 8 games and return of Sachin Tendulkar. Now, Mumbai were celebrating the brave performance of Mumbai Indians.
In other matches, KKR was boosted by IPL debut of Shoaib Akhthar, who took 4 wickets in opening game and also sealed a victory for KKR against DD in a low scoring game.
Now, Sachin was back, though he did not score runs, his presence was quite something for team Mumbai and MI were lined up against KKR. MI with Sachin and KKR with shoaib. We all expected a tight match, a fight between Shoaib, Ishant and Sachin, Sanath. MI, once again won the toss and elected to field. Once again in form Shaun Pollock bowled very tight line length and took three crucial wickets, Nehra did not give much runs either. Just to add to agony of KKR Raje, Thornely and Bravo took two wickets each and Restricted KKR to a mere score of 67 (Lowest in IPL so far). Mumbai won the match, almost at the end of first winning itself. But as nothing can be said in Cricket, bowlers were getting good movement. The second inning started, two cricketing legends on crease against the Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar. Shoaib bowled quite well in first over, Jayasuriya was dropped on very first bowl and Shoaib managed to restrict Sachin on a duck. But they have already made a huge mistake of dropping Jayasuriya, in form Jayasuriya blasted Shoaib and Ishant in a all directions , his bat was talking. And we witnessed another fantabulous innings from a great batsmen, he scored 48* out of 68 Mumbai needed to win.
Fantastic shaun, Awesome Sanath, all round performance of Bravo, and tight bowling from Nehra, Dhawal, Raje etc and most importantly, team effort (and presence of Sachin) lead Mumbai Indians to fifth consecutive win. The wins against Chennai and KKR.. and now we have 10 points from 9 games and fourth place in table. A solid come back and wishing Mumbai Indians all the best to continue their winning form.
Mumbai Indians are going to Hyderabad on 18 th, time for revenge!!.. Gilly and Co. Beware!!
some statistic might be wrong.. not so good with numbers :|
Continued....
Bravo was offered a private chartered flight to go to WI before their matches against Australia, and it was done so that he could stay for match against Hyderabad and he did stay. Mumbai was full of confidence with 5 wins in previous 5 games. Mumbai did start brilliantly but then Adam Gilchrist brought a spinner and the gamble worked, they got the huge wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya. While chasing Hyderabad was looking good but then suddenly they lost wickets of Adam Gilchrist and Rohit sharma in quick succession and Mumbai came back smiling with sixth consecutive win.
The next match was against KXIP, the team who thrashed Mumbai in their home game and also slapgate issue happened in that particular game as well. Mumbai was looking for record 7th consecutive win and place in semis, on the other end Punjab were looking at semi berth as well. Mumbai elected to field first and lack of experience in bowling department, some new bowlers, mis-fields and umpiring decisions and brilliant innings from Shaun Marsh and Pomersbach helped Punjab to make 189 runs. Mumbai started brilliantly and then Sreesanth succeeded in dismissing Mumbai ace Sanath Jayasuriya, but it was Sachin's day. Sachin played brilliantly and win was withing sight. Earlier. questionable run out of Dwayne Smith and then Sachin Tendulkar was run out. Now game was swinging both ways, Mumbai lower order did manage to score some runs but they were not good while running between wickets and Punjab won the nerve-wracking game by 1 run. What a match... Kudos to Punjab and well played Mumbai.
Now today[24th may].. MI's gonna face DD. If MI wins, they are through to Semis along with Chennai, if MI lose, DD's fate will depend on results of remaining matches of MI and Chennai.
Long Live T20!!
but I did support them (you see I am in Mumbai for 4 years now). The start to the IPL was disastrous, back to back close encounters with Chennai Super Kings and Royal challengers and loss in both matches were quite something for Mumbai Indians to digest. It wasn't all, before they could try to come back and do something, superb performance by Kings XI Punjab restricted Mumbai Indians to a score of 116 (while chasing) and like it wasn't enough, Bhajji slapped Sreesanth and it looked like MI's campaign is over. And just to add to that, thunderous Gilchrist added tremendous pain to MI's campaign. Although, I supported them but I was hesitating in openly admitting that (you can call me glory hunter :(( ). Now one can argue that shift of captaincy from Bhajji to Pollock is key to Mumbai's success, but I would rather say Mumbai Indians won because they wanted to prove themselves after four consecutive losses and they wanted to show that they can play without Sachin and Bhajji as well (I mean they definitely are good to have in team, but team is good enough without them as well). And what a win!! Bravo!!!
The pressure on players was tremendous and in addition Sachin's injury and Harbhajan's ban was agonizing for team Mumbai but they played as a team and they beat highflying (at that time) Kolkata Knight Riders. It was like the first drop of blood which awakes the disastrous animal inside a not so scary lion's body. Robin Uthappa played some good innings and tight bowling from Nehra, Sehwag, Jayasurya and all round performance of Bravo lead to first victory.
People argued it was Mumbai's luck, many were not sure about there capability and on top of that they were lined up against Delhi Daredevils with Sehwag in demolishing form. It looked like Mumbai will again lose. Delhi looked like certain winners. The match was scheduled on 4th May in DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai. Shaun Pollock was leading Mumbai Indians. Before match I thought Mumbai doesn't stand a chance, but they managed to win against DD, at that time it looked like it was luck to Mumbai and bad day to DD.
The hope for reaching in semifinals still looked like a distant dream and they were lined against Rajasthan Royals (the other team I support). I am telling you, there is not other captain neither coach better than Shane Warne in IPL 08 (believe me or see the facts to believe it). Even after a win against then topflying Delhi Daredevils, It looked certain like Rajasthan Royals will continue their winning spree (they won all matches except there loss in opening game to DD). Mumbai Indians were fielding first and Mumbai bowlers bowled brilliantly on slow pitch, mixing bounce and movement. They restricted Rajasthan ROyals to a mere 103. But it was Shane Warne and co. on other end, you can't just say that 104 is easy score (against RR). Shane Warne lead his team in positive manner and they looked for wickets to change the scenario of game. They managed to get few wickets and they kept MI in pressure. Hats off to Warne and RR, they played positively and they were very competitive till the time MI managed to score 90 runs, after that Uthappa fired some shots to seal an easy looking win (but ask players, they wont say it was easy).
Now Mumbai Indians, the team who lost 4 of their opening games have won three matches in succession and they have beaten Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals in that process. Just forget 4 consecutive losses, Slapgate drama and Sachin's injury for a while and look at the team who has won 3 consecutive games against the teams who looked like surely booking berth in semifinals. With three wins, Mumbai managed to come to 6 th place, above the two teams which have had terrible season so far ( I remind you, both teams won against Mumbai Indians ). Now the distant dream of booking a berth in semifinal was looking like an achievable feat. The good thing with team Mumbai was that they beat the teams above them in table, this way they took two points and restricted top teams to lesser points, had MI lost any of this match and point difference between Mumbai and that team would have been four more(2 for not winning, 2 additional to them for winning. Three wins from three games was a solid booster for team Mumbai and rumours of Sachin Tendulkar making his debut overtook half of the news in India. The team was excited to have Sachin Tendulkar on the ground. The team wanted to keep winning momentum going, but they were forced a 7 day gap due to elections in Karnataka. Match against Bangalore Royal Challengers shiftet from 10th May to 28th, later in some month. The gap came as a blessing in disguise, the gap gave little Master, Master Blaster, the living legend, the cricketing GOD, the one and only Sachin Tendulkar, more time to recover from injury.
[Sachin's return gave me a lot of virtual money in cricXchange as well ;) ]
Now Mumbai Indians were lined up against Chennai, who lost some matches and they just beat KXIP and they were looking good. A lot of expectations from Sachin Tendulkar, tremendous enthusiasm all around Wankhede stadium. It was 14 of may 2008, Sachin Tendulkar made his debut in IPL, he took captaincy from Shaun Pollock. Every Mumbai Indian supported and more importantly team was boosted by his first game in IPL. MI won toss and elected to field first. The wait to see Sachin batting along with Sanath Jayasuriya (the Sri-lankan cricketing icon) was postponed to one more inning. Everyone was looking for a great batting from the solid looking Mumbai Indians opening line up but it was bowlers who drew all the attentions. Scintillating Shaun with disciplined bowling of other partners blown away Chennai's top order. Mumbai looked like restricting them to a small score. CSK captain M. S. Dhoni (one who leaded team India to T20 world cup crown in first ever world cup) and the domestic hero Badrinath played some good disciplined inning, both hit half century and took CSK to 156, a decent position. It looked like a competitive score because Chennai top order strugguled on this pitch. Then the moment for which we all were waiting, finally came. Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya, two short men, but huuuggeeee name in cricket made their way into ground. All crowd, everyone, and all we, who were watching on TV, were excited to see Sachin making his debut. The show began. Sachin and Jayasuriya started. As soon as game started, Sanath Jayasuriya took all the attention towards him, he hit some fantabulous shots, it was like a rain of sixes. and showers of fours too. But mind you, it was Sachin who hit first six. As soon as Sachin saw Jayasuriya blasting all the bowlers in every direction, he shifted his gears and changed strike and gave more opportunity to Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya did not leave a single bowler, he blasted hell lot of sixes and fours in all the directions. All who were came to watch Sachin must've been singing songs for Sanath. Dhoni was looking helpless. He trusted Joginder Sharma (who is not a great bowler but Dhoni managed to get great results from him, even in world cup). And he did give a shocker to Mumbai Indians and all the supporters. He took wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, bowled him but it was nothing to stop Sanath. Then came the most important part of the game, Sanath Vs Murali, the two big names of Srilankan cricket, those 2-3 overs were really awesome. Now, Mumbai Indians looked like winning fourth consecutive game (presence of Sanath on the pitch din't gave place to a single doubt in Mind) and it was important from the point of view of Run Rate as well (Gilly's demolition. Scintillating Sanath did not just boost confidence and points of Mumbai Indians, he also improved run rate and more importantly he managed to score a century (114*) in a game where we needed 157. Three consecutive sixes in final over and many other, a must watch inning. Now, Mumbai Indians were back in business with 8 points from 8 games and return of Sachin Tendulkar. Now, Mumbai were celebrating the brave performance of Mumbai Indians.
In other matches, KKR was boosted by IPL debut of Shoaib Akhthar, who took 4 wickets in opening game and also sealed a victory for KKR against DD in a low scoring game.
Now, Sachin was back, though he did not score runs, his presence was quite something for team Mumbai and MI were lined up against KKR. MI with Sachin and KKR with shoaib. We all expected a tight match, a fight between Shoaib, Ishant and Sachin, Sanath. MI, once again won the toss and elected to field. Once again in form Shaun Pollock bowled very tight line length and took three crucial wickets, Nehra did not give much runs either. Just to add to agony of KKR Raje, Thornely and Bravo took two wickets each and Restricted KKR to a mere score of 67 (Lowest in IPL so far). Mumbai won the match, almost at the end of first winning itself. But as nothing can be said in Cricket, bowlers were getting good movement. The second inning started, two cricketing legends on crease against the Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar. Shoaib bowled quite well in first over, Jayasuriya was dropped on very first bowl and Shoaib managed to restrict Sachin on a duck. But they have already made a huge mistake of dropping Jayasuriya, in form Jayasuriya blasted Shoaib and Ishant in a all directions , his bat was talking. And we witnessed another fantabulous innings from a great batsmen, he scored 48* out of 68 Mumbai needed to win.
Fantastic shaun, Awesome Sanath, all round performance of Bravo, and tight bowling from Nehra, Dhawal, Raje etc and most importantly, team effort (and presence of Sachin) lead Mumbai Indians to fifth consecutive win. The wins against Chennai and KKR.. and now we have 10 points from 9 games and fourth place in table. A solid come back and wishing Mumbai Indians all the best to continue their winning form.
Mumbai Indians are going to Hyderabad on 18 th, time for revenge!!.. Gilly and Co. Beware!!
some statistic might be wrong.. not so good with numbers :|
Continued....
Bravo was offered a private chartered flight to go to WI before their matches against Australia, and it was done so that he could stay for match against Hyderabad and he did stay. Mumbai was full of confidence with 5 wins in previous 5 games. Mumbai did start brilliantly but then Adam Gilchrist brought a spinner and the gamble worked, they got the huge wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya. While chasing Hyderabad was looking good but then suddenly they lost wickets of Adam Gilchrist and Rohit sharma in quick succession and Mumbai came back smiling with sixth consecutive win.
The next match was against KXIP, the team who thrashed Mumbai in their home game and also slapgate issue happened in that particular game as well. Mumbai was looking for record 7th consecutive win and place in semis, on the other end Punjab were looking at semi berth as well. Mumbai elected to field first and lack of experience in bowling department, some new bowlers, mis-fields and umpiring decisions and brilliant innings from Shaun Marsh and Pomersbach helped Punjab to make 189 runs. Mumbai started brilliantly and then Sreesanth succeeded in dismissing Mumbai ace Sanath Jayasuriya, but it was Sachin's day. Sachin played brilliantly and win was withing sight. Earlier. questionable run out of Dwayne Smith and then Sachin Tendulkar was run out. Now game was swinging both ways, Mumbai lower order did manage to score some runs but they were not good while running between wickets and Punjab won the nerve-wracking game by 1 run. What a match... Kudos to Punjab and well played Mumbai.
Now today[24th may].. MI's gonna face DD. If MI wins, they are through to Semis along with Chennai, if MI lose, DD's fate will depend on results of remaining matches of MI and Chennai.
Long Live T20!!
3 comments:
such long post, there are many grammatical mistakes.. I am aware but too lazy to correct them.. I hope I did not miss any significant part from this entry. And my post is biased towards batting and recent matches ;) :P
really looks like you have written a whole book on IPL .. [:P] ..
its just an chapter.. a chapter about Mumbai Indians... Itna lukhha tha ki itna Bada post likhe diya =))
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