Mumbai Indians: Road to the final

May 25, 2013

Flawed opening: Mumbai Indians had two close matches at the start of the season; they lost one in Bangalore by two runs, but they won the next in Chennai by nine runs. But as soon as they got to Mumbai, Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma led the team to two strong wins against Delhi Daredevils and Pune Warriors. However, the new opening partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting failed to sizzle.•BCCI

<b>Hammer-Smith:</b> Dwayne Smith, who replaced Ponting as the opener, immediately made a difference to the side, scoring consecutive half-centuries in comfortable wins in Kolkata and in Mumbai against Royal Challengers.

Hammer-Smith: Dwayne Smith, who replaced Ponting as the opener, immediately made a difference to the side, scoring consecutive half-centuries in comfortable wins in Kolkata and in Mumbai against Royal Challengers.•BCCI

<b>Pollard magic:</b> The team was staring at its first defeat in Mumbai this season when more than 60 runs were required off the last four overs against Sunrisers, but a brutal half-century by Kieron Pollard, that included eight sixes, kept the fortress intact. Tendulkar missed the next match, but Aditya Tare made the most of his chance by smashing a quick half-century against Royals.

Pollard magic: The team was staring at its first defeat in Mumbai this season when more than 60 runs were required off the last four overs against Sunrisers, but a brutal half-century by Kieron Pollard, that included eight sixes, kept the fortress intact. Tendulkar missed the next match, but Aditya Tare made the most of his chance by smashing a quick half-century against Royals.•BCCI

<b>Huge losses:</b> Mumbai Indians travelled to Jaipur and Delhi and suffered two heavy losses. They were bowled out for 92 chasing 180 as they had no answer to Rajasthan Royals' Ajinkya Rahane and James Faulkner and it got worse in Delhi where they were blown away by a Virender Sehwag special, losing the match by nine wickets after scoring 161. Ponting, the captain of the side, decided to drop himself after the Jaipur loss.

Huge losses: Mumbai Indians travelled to Jaipur and Delhi and suffered two heavy losses. They were bowled out for 92 chasing 180 as they had no answer to Rajasthan Royals' Ajinkya Rahane and James Faulkner and it got worse in Delhi where they were blown away by a Virender Sehwag special, losing the match by nine wickets after scoring 161. Ponting, the captain of the side, decided to drop himself after the Jaipur loss. •BCCI

<b>More home wins:</b> Like most other teams this season, Mumbai Indians were humbled by Sunrisers Hyderabad, but they swept two big teams - Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders - in Mumbai with utter ease. Tendulkar, who like Ponting, had been under pressure, scored a 28-ball 48 in the win against Knight Riders.

More home wins: Like most other teams this season, Mumbai Indians were humbled by Sunrisers Hyderabad, but they swept two big teams - Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders - in Mumbai with utter ease. Tendulkar, who like Ponting, had been under pressure, scored a 28-ball 48 in the win against Knight Riders. •BCCI

<b>Second final:</b> After losing the first qualifier against Super Kings in Delhi, Mumbai Indians got another chance when they faced Royals at the Eden Gardens. Chasing 166, the team was in a comfortable position before a flurry of wickets gave Royals a sniff. However, Ambati Rayudu hit some timely boundaries to make sure the team made it to their second IPL final

Second final: After losing the first qualifier against Super Kings in Delhi, Mumbai Indians got another chance when they faced Royals at the Eden Gardens. Chasing 166, the team was in a comfortable position before a flurry of wickets gave Royals a sniff. However, Ambati Rayudu hit some timely boundaries to make sure the team made it to their second IPL final•BCCI

<b>Bowling strength:</b> Mitchell Johnson, playing his first IPL season, was instrumental in the team's supremacy at the Wankhede. He produced two match-winning spells - against Super Kings in Mumbai and Warriors in Pune.

Bowling strength: Mitchell Johnson, playing his first IPL season, was instrumental in the team's supremacy at the Wankhede. He produced two match-winning spells - against Super Kings in Mumbai and Warriors in Pune.•BCCI