Mitchell McClenaghan posts a heartening message for the MI fans after failing to qualify for the playoffs

The Mumbai Indians (MI) once again had an exasperating end to their campaign in the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After some nervy final over losses in the first half of the tournament, the defending champions finally came to the party by recording some crucial victories, which included a big margin win against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) which boosted their NRR heavily.

However, MI looked to be the favourites to claim the final spot in the playoffs, but the three-time champions failed to embrace a victory in their final league game against the Delhi Daredevils (DD), which also shattered the hopes of all MI fans.

Delhi posts a fightable total, courtesy of Pant’s courageous knock

The visitors lost a crucial toss and were asked to field first by the Delhi skipper Shreyas Iyer. However, the MI bowlers bowled really well in the powerplay and picked up the wickets of both the Delhi openers. The in-form Delhi wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant started taking on the opposition bowlers during the middle overs and he was well supported by all-rounder Vijay Shankar, as the duo added 64 runs for the fourth-wicket stand. In the end, DD posted 174 runs on the board, which appeared to be a pretty decent total on a slow track at the halfway stage.

MI middle-order problems yet again arise to end their season

In the crucial run-chase, Mumbai opener Suryakumar Yadav started the thing on an explosive note, as he smacked the Delhi leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for 12 runs off the first three balls in the opening over. However, the Nepal bowler made a sensational comeback and dismissed the opener off the fourth ball to provide the early breakthrough for his side. The other MI opener Evin Lewis carried on his team to a steady progress in the powerplay despite the early wicket.

Veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra brought his team back into the game by picking up the crucial wickets of Ishan Kishan and Lewis. Suddenly in a small passage of time, Mumbai looked to be in a troublesome situation as they were reduced to 78-5 after 9.4 overs. Skipper Rohit Sharma tried to build a partnership with all-rounder Hardik Pandya, but the two DD leg-spinners tilted the match in the favour of the home side.

Fast bowler Harshal Patel wrapped up the Mumbai innings for 163 runs and the defending champions failed to enter the final race in their quest to hold their title.

MI overseas fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan, who pulled out of the final league match due to injury, posted a heartening message after the loss for all the MI fans who desperately wanted to see their team qualify for the playoffs. He mentioned that the team played all the games with high spirits, but still failed to make it into the playoffs this season.

Here is the tweet

To all the @mipaltan fans – apologies we didn’t get there in the end. Just know we played our hearts out every game and I’m sure the squad next year will do you proud. #peaceout

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) May 20, 2018

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