Rohit Sharma celebrating holi with Mumbai Indians teammates© X (formerly Twitter)
Mumbai Indians started their IPL 2024 campaign with a narrow defeat against Gujarat Titans on Sunday but that did not dampen their spirits as Rohit Sharma led their Holi celebrations. In a video posted by the franchise on social media, Rohit can be seen completely covered in colours and spraying water right at the camera. The caption along with the post read – “Happy Holi, everyone! Brb, admin needs to get the phone repaired”. Mumbai Indians played well but were outplayed by Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2024 opener.
An inexplicable batting strategy by Mumbai Indians at the death saw Shubman Gill make an auspicious debut as Gujarat Titans captain with a thrilling six-run victory in their opening IPL game on Sunday.
Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) was at his absolute best in his first IPL game in two years, firing in his express yorkers at will to help Mumbai Indians restrict Gujarat Titans to 168/6.
Happy Holi, everyone!
Brb, admin needs to get the phone repaired#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians | @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/4I0aIqnvru
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 25, 2024
But Bumrah’s effort was not enough as batters like Tilak Varma and skipper Hardik Pandya failed to complement his brilliance.
MI ended at 162/9 as things went downhill when all they needed was 43 runs off last five overs with seven wickets in hand.
MI thus failed to break their opening game jinx. The last time they won their IPL opener was against Chennai Super Kings way back in 2012.
While spinners Rashid Khan (0/23 in 4 overs) and R Sai Kishore (1/24) gave very little with the ball despite the dew setting in, veteran Mohit Sharma (2/32) used his variations with different types of slower deliveries to turn the course of the match.
Spencer Joshnson (2/25) and Umesh Yadav (2/32) were brilliant bowling the 19th and 20th over as Hardik Pandya relegating himself to No. 7 in batting order is something that would need explanation. He did hit a six and four in the last over but Umesh had the last laugh.
(With PTI inputs)
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