Mumbai Indians fell to a four-wicket defeat against Delhi Capitals in our season opener of the Tata IPL 2022.

Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 81 and a 41 from skipper Rohit Sharma had carried MI to a healthy 177/5 in 20 overs.

Murugan Ashwin, Tymal Mills and Basil Thampi all struck at different intervals but DC managed to chase down the target after a 75-run partnership between Axar Patel and Lalit Yadav.

“I thought it was a good score. It didn't look like that kind of a pitch where you could get 170-plus at the start. But we played really well in the middle and finished off really well as well. It was a good score on the board, it's just that we didn't bowl according to the plans,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.

MI may have not won our opening match of a Tata IPL season since 2012 but that did not affect the team, felt Rohit.

“Honestly, that's never been the talk. We always come prepared, whether it's the first game or last game, we want to try and win every game. But we made some mistakes on the field which didn't go according to plans. Those things can happen. We just need to keep it tight within the group. Disappointed, but it's not the end,” he said.

After the game, our spinner Murugan Ashwin addressed the press conference. Murugan Ashwin had a good debut for MI, ending with figures of 2/14 in his four overs, with both of those coming in his first over.

His fellow wrist spinner, DC’s Kuldeep Yadav also had a good game, registering figures of 3/18 and Murugan Ashwin felt they both did pretty much the same thing on the pitch.

“Both me and Kuldeep had a good game, wrist spinners, with our variations, we can do a lot off the wicket. Both of us hit the right lengths, bowled the right speeds, it’s a good wicket to bat and the lines were important, we had to be precise to put the batters on the backfoot and force them to do something,” he revealed.

MI were also in command for much of the game and Murugan Ashwin felt they only had to correct a few small details.

“As a bowling unit, we were looking very good out there. We need to address a few things like closing out the overs. We gave away a few more boundary balls than we’d have liked but we will regroup and come back stronger,” said Ashwin.

“I don’t think we succumbed to pressure, we have experienced bowlers, it’s just about finishing off games. We will come back.”

He also acknowledged a good innings from Ishan Kishan.

“Ishan was very good, he took it till the end, that was a good, responsible innings from him.  He was batting well in the nets and practice games, so I’m happy for him,” concluded Ashwin.

We next take on the Rajasthan Royals on April 2nd at the DY Patil stadium.