Mumbai Indians’ dismal IPL 2024 campaign continued on Friday as they suffered an eighth defeat, this time at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Chasing a modest target of 170, Mumbai’s batting lineup crumbled, with the team eventually bowled out for 145 in 18.5 overs. The loss marked KKR’s first victory at MI’s home ground in 12 years.
After the match, Mumbai spinner Piyush Chawla provided an update on former captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness. Sharma, who was not included in the playing XI, came out to bat during the chase. Chawla revealed that Sharma had experienced some back stiffness, prompting the team to rest him during the fielding.
“Rohit Sharma just had a mild back-stiffness so it was a just precautionary thing,” Chawla said in the post-match press conference.
Reflecting on the defeat, Chawla acknowledged that it was an off day for the team. “If you talk about the wicket, it was good, but sticky at the start and credit goes to KKR bowlers, they bowled really well. Sometimes it happens that things are not going your way and the other team comes and bowls in really good areas. It was just one off day,” he added.
Chawla emphasized that Mumbai will continue to play with pride and reputation in the remaining matches of the tournament. “We are going to play for our pride and reputation because sometimes you enter the field you never know whether you are going to qualify or not. You have to play for your name and that’s what we are playing for,” he asserted.
Chawla attributed Mumbai’s struggles to a lack of momentum. “As a unit, I don’t say it is just about batting or bowling, it’s just the complete unit. You must have heard that T20 cricket is about momentum and just that we didn’t get going into this season. It can happen to any team, it’s not that happening to us,” he stated.
