Mumbai Indians again lost in last ball … Little chance of going to Semis

Mumbai Indians has developed a habit of loosing in last ball. For last 2 consecutive games they lost the match in last ball. Today it was no different. Again they lost the match against Rajasthan Royals in last Ball

Mumbai Indians batted first and made 145/7 in 20 overs.  Sanat Jayasuriya (38 of 37 balls) &  Sachin Tendulker ( 30 of 34 balls)  had a slow start but  Abhijit Nayar ( 25 of 18 balls) and wicket keeper Vijaya Takawale ( 24 of 8 balls) helped Mumbai Indians to reach a respectable total of 145 runs in 20 overs. Robin Uttappa ( 3 of 8 balls) & Shaun Pollack ( 0 of 1 ball) again Failed.

In reply Rajasthan Royals had a poor start and at one stage were 77-5 in 12 overs. At this stage it all looked as if Mumbai Indians had a better chance of winning. But Young duo of Neeral Patel ( 40 of 29 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja ( 23 of 20 balls) managed to build innings thereafter and take the innings up to the final over. Rajasthan Royals needed 33 runs in last two overs. The 19th over from Ashish Nehra yielded 18 runs, thanks to some misfielding and unnecessary throws from Mumbai Indians.

With 15 runs required of last over, Neeraj patel sent the first ball of last over from Dilhara Fernendo to six. Then we saw again some extras and misfieldings from mumbai Indians and finally Rajasthan royals required 2 runs of last ball. Dilhara fernando mis fielded and did not stop the first run and Jayasuriya missed the chance of run out by not collecting the ball properly and gave away two runs of last ball. Mumbai Indians looked completly depressed as they saw Rajasthan Royals celebrated their victory. Full credit goes to Neeraj and Jadeja for performing under pressure and steering Rajasthan Royals for a victory.

Mumbai Indians fielding was pathetic today . They dropped few catches, some misfielding, over throws and above all 16 extras. They always come very close but never win a triller. Also the batting by Robin Uttapa and Shaun Pollack in last few games is questionable.

This is 11th win for Rajasthan royals in 13 Matches and this victory is only a top up. But Mumbai Indians lost a golden chance of making it to semi finals. They have to win their last match against Bangalore royal challengers and hope that Chennai Super Kings loose their next match against Deccan Chargers. If this happens then both the teams will be tied at 14 points and on better run rate Mumbai Indians will enter Semi Finals.

So Who are in Semi Finals now. As Mumbai Indians lost today, Delhi Daredevils Joined Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab in Semi Finals. For the fourth spot Chennai super Kings and Mumbai Indians have to fight it out.

Critically Yours

Kiran.