IPL 2021: What is the main reason for Mumbai Indians not qualifying for the play-offs?

Mumbai Indians have failed to qualify for the playoff stages of the IPL for the first time since 2018, with Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings managing to secure the other spots along with Kolkata Knight Riders.

Rohit Sharma's Mumbai Indians try to register a win. (Image credit: Twitter)
By Siddharth vishwanathan | Oct 8, 2021 | 5 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

IPL 2021 will have a new champion. Mumbai Indians, who are the five-time champions and have won in 2019 and 2020, have been knocked out of the playoff race in this edition of the tournament. Rohit Sharma’s team started off in a mixed fashion, winning three and losing three in six matches in India. When the tournament shifted to the UAE in September-October, the Mumbai Indians lost momentum. They won only two out of their six games in the UAE, which meant that they fell behind in the playoff race.

In the last week of the league stages, Mumbai Indians had a chance to secure the fourth spot. However, their second loss to the Delhi Capitals hurt them big time. When Punjab Kings defeated Chennai Super Kings, they still had a chance. But, when Rajasthan Royals suffered a heavy loss to Kolkata Knight Riders, the chances for the Mumbai Indians eroded. With Kolkata Knight Riders having a far superior Net Run Rate, Mumbai Indians had an impossible equation in their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. They had to beat Kane Williamson’s side by 170 runs if they batted first. If they batted second, they were eliminated at the toss.

So, what went wrong for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021? How come the five-time champions managed to stumble at the playoff hurdle after three years?

Mumbai Indians batting the key in IPL titles in 2019 and 2020

The Mumbai Indians have broken plenty of new ground when it comes to the IPL. They are the only team to have won the tournament five times. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are the only sides to have won two consecutive tournament titles. But, Rohit Sharma’s side has won the IPL both away and at home on multiple occasions.

In the years 2019 and 2020, Mumbai Indians established a level of dominance that left the other teams behind. The first major factor is Rohit Sharma’s tactical brilliance and layers stepping up to the plate. Second, it was the batting that clicked. Mumbai Indians had one of the best lower-middle order players that gave the finishing touch a different feel altogether. The likes of Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya were the designated finishers. During the 2019 title race, Mumbai Indians were boosted by the likes of Quinton de Kock, Hardik, and Pollard.

PLAYERMATCHESINNINGSRUNSAVERAGESTRIKE-RATE
ROHIT SHARMA151540528.92128.57
QUINTON DE KOCK161652935.26132.91
ISHAN KISHAN7610116.83101
SURYAKUMAR YADAV161542432.61130.86
HARDIK PANDYA161540244.66191.42
KIERON POLLARD161427934.87156.74

Three out of the top seven averaged 35 and had a strike rate in excess of 130. Pollard and Hardik, though, had strike rates of 156 and 191 which was sensational. In addition to the three, Surykaumar Yadav was also the star with an average of 32 and a strike rate of 130. The bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar, and Lasith Malinga all chipped in brilliantly to give Mumbai Indians the title.

Total dominance by Mumbai Indians in 2020

The year 2020 saw dominance go up to the next level for MI. The batting and bowling numbers were absolutely phenomenal in that period. From Quinton de Kock to Kieron Pollard, all of them averaged in excess of 35 and a strike rate of 140. With the exception of Rohit, five out of the six players from the top to the middle were simply sublime.

PLAYERMATCHESINNINGSRUNSAVERAGESTRIKE-RATE
ROHIT SHARMA121233227.66127.69
QUINTON DE KOCK161650335.92140.5
ISHAN KISHAN141351657.33145.76
SURYAKUMAR YADAV161548040145.01
HARDIK PANDYA141328135.12178.98
KIERON POLLARD161226853.6191.42

It was this deadly combination of consistency and strike-rate prowess that ensured Mumbai Indians’ batting was never under pressure. Apart from the usual first game rustiness, the domination was ruthless. In IPL 2020, Bumrah and Trent Boult both picked up 27 and 25 wickets respectively. With Chahar also contributing 15 wickets, Mumbai Indians were the all-round package.

PLAYERMATCHESINNINGSWICKETSAVERAGESTRIKE-RATEECONOMY RATE
JASPRIT BUMRAH15152714.9613.336.63
TRENT BOULT15152518.2813.769.76
RAHUL CHAHAR15151528.8621.26.55
JAMES PATTINSON10101129.0919.369.17
KRUNAL PANDYA1616663.3350.167.28

Combined with the batting, the strike rate and the average of the Mumbai Indians bowlers, especially Boult and Bumrah, were under 20. It was the regular early and late strikes by both Bumrah and Boult that saw Rohit’s side brush aside every opposition emphatically.

What was missing in 2021?

PLAYERMATCHESINNINGSRUNSAVERAGESTRIKE-RATE
ROHIT SHARMA7725035.71126.4
QUINTON DE KOCK6615525.8386.93
ISHAN KISHAN557314.673.19
SURYAKUMAR YADAV7717324.71142.76
HARDIK PANDYA76528.67101.9
KIERON POLLARD7516833.4132.65

Two factors went against Mumbai Indians. The consistency shown by the middle order in the subsequent IPLs was missing. Suryakumar, Ishan, Hardik, and De Kock all failed to contribute on a consistent basis. The average and strike rate for the middle order in IPL 2021 is less than 20 and a strike rate of under 110. Barring Pollard and Rohit, the rest of the batting struggled.

PLAYERMATCHESINNINGSRUNSAVERAGESTRIKE-RATE
ROHIT SHARMA5511322.6116.56
QUINTON DE KOCK5514228.4115.1
ISHAN KISHAN438428123
SURYAKUMAR YADAV666210.3378.53
HARDIK PANDYA426532.590
KIERON POLLARD646416119.62

Even with the bowling, Bumrah was at his best but he lacked support. Boult struggled to replicate the form of 2020 in which his economy and strike rate was under 20. In 2021, he has not been able to live up to his past prowess. With Mumbai Indians shuffling around with their third bowling option in James Neesham, Adam Milne, and Nathan Coulter-Nile, there was no stability.

The crucial factor that went against Mumbai Indians was the resumption of the IPL in the UAE. In the Indian leg, they had won three and lost three out of their six games. Before the tournament ended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mumbai Indians beat Chennai Super Kings and had secured momentum. When the tournament shifted to the UAE, all that was lost.

Mega overhaul in 2022 new challenge

The loss of momentum for Mumbai Indians has seen some of their personnel lose form. The average and strike rate of players like Suryakumar and Ishan Kishan dipped significantly. With Hardik Pandya also not bowling for the last couple of seasons, Mumbai Indians might want to have a significant overhaul heading into the 2022 mega-auction. With Pollard and Rohit also on the wrong side of 30, the franchise will have to look ahead into the future.

The likes of Jasprit Bumrah might be the future for Mumbai Indians. The inability to get into the playoffs might be the right tonic for MI to have the proper overhaul ahead of the 2022 auction. Dominance has to come to an end at some point of time. For Mumbai Indians, their streak has been a delight for T20 fans in the world. One hopes that they can regain the same level of dominance when the IPL resumes next year.

(Stats do not include the numbers from the decider against SRH)





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