Kolkata, May 12: After losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the 60th clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Saturday, Mumbai Indians leg-spinner Piyush Chawla said that the five-time champions didn’t get the momentum from the start of the fixture which they wanted.
A fantastic comeback effort by KKR spinners helped derail MI run-chase of 158 runs, restricting them to 139/8 in 16 overs in the IPL 2024 clash at Eden Gardens on Saturday and made the two-time champions the first team to reach the playoffs.
Earlier, rain played a spoilsport and the match officials decided to make it a 16-over contest.The veteran cricketer asserted that the MI franchise started the chase brilliantly but exceptional bowling from the spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy made the difference in the match.“We started well, but the Sunil Narine spell and the Varun Chakravarthy spell made the difference in today’s game. The way that KKR spinners are bowling and the way that they are batting, they can win the tournament.
But in playoffs, what matters is how you turn up on that particular day. You just need four overs to change the game in the IPL. They have momentum, all of their players are doing well,” Chawla said in the post-match press conference.
The Aligarh-born cricketer further stated that T20 cricket is all about momentum and we didn’t get that from the beginning against the Knight Riders.
“T20 cricket is about momentum but (sadly) we didn’t get that momentum right from the beginning. Sometimes we bowl well and then we end up not batting that well. Likewise, sometimes we bat well and the bowling is not. So it’s not just that we are lacking in one department. As a unit, we have failed in a few games. And we have to accept that fact as a team. Because at the end of the day, it’s a team game. These things do happen,” the leg-spinner added.
“We have a brilliant line-up. But sometimes just things didn’t fall into place. And as I always say in big games, there are small moments where you have to win as a team. But today sadly, we lost in those small moments,” the 35-year-old concluded.
While acknowledging the exceptional bowling performance by KKR spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, Chawla emphasized the unpredictable nature of the game, where a mere four overs can alter the course of a match. As Mumbai Indians assess their performance as a collective unit, Chawla’s words underscore the essence of team dynamics and the significance of seizing pivotal moments in the pursuit of victory. (Agencies)
