IPL 2021: MI vs KKR: Rohit Sharma rues batting howlers on good batting track as reason for defeat

Mumbai Indians suffered an embarrassing seven-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021 on Thursday. Meanwhile, MI skipper Rohit Sharma has blamed the batting howlers on a sound batting track.

Defending champion Mumbai Indians (MI) succumbed to a shocking seven-wicket defeat to former champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 34 of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. It was MI's second constant defeat in the tournament's second phase, pushing it down to the sixth spot.

Winning the toss, KKR opted to field, as MI looked threatening initially before the KKR bowlers bounced back, while MI managed to score 155/6, thanks to Quinton De Kock's 55. However, in reply, Venkatesh Iyer (53) and Rahul Tripathi (74*) just outplayed the MI's potent bowling attack, besides some luck going their way, thus sealing an emphatic seven-wicket win.

Meanwhile, MI skipper Rohit Sharma was wary of his side's batting howlers following the defeat, while he rated the track as a good one to bat on. "Few areas went wrong. We started really well but didn't get enough towards the back end. I thought it was a good pitch, we failed to capitalise on the start we got, and we didn't bowl well at the start," he said during the post-match presentation.

"I don't want to look into it too much, things can happen, and you have to move on. After a good start, we had to get small partnerships, but we kept losing wickets at regular intervals. It is not easy for new batters to go in and start hitting the ball," he added.

With continuous twin defeat to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and KKR, MI now face a tricky task in the race for the playoffs, as it needs to start winning hereon, while further defeats could derail its campaign. Rohit has asserted that the issues will be addressed to the sides before it locks horns against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday.

"It is something that happened in the last game as well, and we will address it. It is always there at the back of the mind on where you stand, we are still in the middle of the table, so we have to get back and fight and hopefully get some wins on the trot," he concluded.