IPL 2024, GT vs MI - 3 Things That Went Wrong For MI

MI lost the match from a winning position (IPLT20.com)MI lost the match from a winning position (IPLT20.com)

In their opening clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, Mumbai Indians (MI) endured a shocking defeat as they succumbed to a six-run loss against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

From what seemed a victory within grasp, MI turned the tables on themselves, continuing a rather unwelcome tradition of first-match defeats that has shadowed them for over a decade.

Fielding first, MI's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah's lethal three-wicket haul and Gerald Coetzee's commendable two-wicket effort, managed to contain GT to a modest total of 168/6.

The chase, initially on course, derailed spectacularly in the final overs, transforming what appeared to be a straightforward victory march into a scramble that left MI stranded at 162/9.

So, what went wrong for the five-time IPL champions? Here are three things that went wrong for MI vs GT in their first game of IPL 2024.


1. Strategic Missteps with the New Ball

Hardik Pandya took the new ball instead of specialist Jasprit Bumrah (IPLT20.com)Hardik Pandya took the new ball instead of specialist Jasprit Bumrah (IPLT20.com)

The GT vs MI match's opening act featured a surprising decision—Captain Hardik Pandya's decision to spearhead the attack with the new ball. This move, sidelining the experienced Jasprit Bumrah, was a gamble that backfired big time.

Pandya, conceding 20 runs in his first two overs, unintentionally laid a red carpet for GT's openers, who raced to 27/0 in just three overs. This strategic blunder squandered the early advantage, allowing GT to build a foundation without the menacing presence of Bumrah upfront.

This decision of Hardik to bowl with the new ball intended perhaps to unsettle GT's opening batsmen, ended up costing MI dearly in terms of early momentum.


2. Poor Captaincy

Hardik Pandya promoted Tim David ahead of himself in the batting order (IPLT20.com)Hardik Pandya promoted Tim David ahead of himself in the batting order (IPLT20.com)

Hardik Pandya's captaincy faced scrutiny not just for his bowling decision to bowl with the new ball but also for his perplexing decisions regarding the batting lineup. 

Promoting Tim David above himself, despite David's known vulnerabilities against spinner Rashid Khan, was a move that baffled observers.

This tactical misstep not only disrupted the batting order's balance but also played into GT's hands when it mattered most. 

The psychological warfare on the pitch was evident as Tilak Varma and David played Rashid's over with apprehension, culminating in David's eventual dismissal and a boundary-less over that tilted the scales in GT's favour.

Hardik's late heroics, including a six and a four in the final over, ultimately proved futile as his wicket fell with the game on a knife-edge. This batting line-up mess by Hardik showed how a small decision can end up costing the game.


3. Collapse of the Lower Order

Tim David's wicket started a MI batting collapse (Twitter)Tim David's wicket started a MI batting collapse (Twitter)

The final overs of MI’s chase offered a classic case study of a T20 batting implosion under pressure. Positioned at 142/4 after 17.5 overs, MI found themselves in a relatively comfortable situation, requiring a manageable 27 runs from the final 13 balls to secure a victory.

This scenario, by T20 cricket's standards, was achievable, demanding sensible batting and selective aggression. However, what unfolded was a staggering collapse that cost Mumbai Indians the match. 

The MI lower-middle and lower order, tasked with steering the team home, embarked on a series of decisions that deviated from the essence of measured T20 batting.

Instead of judiciously selecting balls to hit and converting ones into twos, the batsmen succumbed to the pressure exerted by GT's bowlers, leading to a domino effect of dismissals. 

This period of play saw MI's innings reduced from a position of strength to a state of disarray, culminating in a score of 160/9 after 19.4 overs.

The rapid loss of five wickets for a mere 18 runs over the span of 11 balls was not just unexpected but starkly unacceptable for a team of MI's calibre. 

The architects of this unexpected collapse were Tim David, Tilak Varma, Gerald Coetzee, Hardik Pandya, and Piyush Chawla.

As MI looks to look beyond this defeat, the insights gleaned from this clash will be crucial in reshaping their approach for the remainder of the tournament, starting with their next away game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, March 27.