IPL 2021: Match 9 - MI vs SRH - Who Said What

Mumbai Indians (MI) have defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Chennai by 13 runs defending 150 runs. Their bowlers, especially Trent Boult and Rahul Chahar were exceptional picking three wickets each while Jasprit Bumrah was as usual at his best returning with the figures of 1/15 in his four overs.

Earlier, Jonny Bairstow slammed 43 off just 22 balls to get SRH off to a brilliant start. Even David Warner seemed to be in his elements but they lost wickets at the wrong time which turned the game. While Bairstow got out hit wicket off Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya’s brilliant direct hit cut short the SRH skipper’s innings. The rest of the line-up never looked like getting to the target on a slow pitch as they succumbed to a third consecutive defeat.

Earlier in the day, Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat. MI got off to a decent start as well with their skipper scoring 32 runs while Quinton de Kock laboured his way to 40 off 39. The middle-order struggled to get going as the pitch turned slow but it was Kieron Pollard who stepped up when they needed the most. He struck an unbeaten 35 off 22 to propel MI to 150 and it proved enough in the end.

Man of the Match, Kieron Pollard said:

The situation of the game (dictates the batting order). We always have to be padded up. It’s nice to see other guys also delivering, so not much pressure. Those runs at the end really helped us. You have to decide your strong areas (on such pitches) and see what you can do. We have to find ways. It was good to see the team finding a way to scrap a win. Hopefully this can take us through. Of course, when it’s coming out well (in bowling), you want to but I’m happy doing what the team wants.

MI skipper Rohit Sharma said:

It was a great effort from the bowling unit. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. On that pitch, when you’re bowling well, it’s not easy. I thought it was a good score on that pitch. You saw from both the teams, trying to capitalise on the powerplay.

Having said that, I think we can bat better in the middle overs. All these guys have played a lot of cricket on pitches like these. So, there are areas to work on. At the same time, don’t want to be too harsh on the guys. I think the pitch gets slower and slower.

Rahul was turning the ball in his fourth over, which was the 12th or 13th over. That doesn’t happen in Mumbai. The ball was reversing as well. The slowishness of the deck doesn’t allow batsmen to come and slog straightaway. One set batter carrying through is needed, which is what’s not happening for all of the teams that have played here.

Polly has done it for so many years for us at the back end. We have the confidence in him. It’s all about him getting some time in the middle. Our fielding was really good tonight, that’s something we take pride in. Those run outs and also the catches.

SRH skipper David Warner said:

I don’t know how to take that. Obviously disappointing. Two of us were set but it proves that if you don’t bat deep, you can’t win.

(On run-out) That was my game-plan, a great piece of fielding from Hardik though. But that’s the game of cricket. These are very much chaseable targets, if you get a partnership and if there is one person at the end, you can chase it down. The guys need to play smart cricket in the middle, the bowlers have been fantastic and this wicket was slower than the previous wickets that we have played.

You gotta learn from mistakes and it’s our responsibility at the top to bat deep. The bowlers adapted well. We have to move forward and keep having smiles on our faces.

(On Williamson injury update) We have to speak to the physios, he’s (Williamson) coming along nicely and plays a big role in our squad.