The Mumbai Indians (MI) wrapped up a dismal 2024 season with a defeat against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium on May 17. This loss marked their final game of the season, leaving them at the bottom of the league standings with just eight points, having won only four out of 14 games.
This outcome is particularly disappointing for MI, one of the most successful franchises in IPL history alongside the Chennai Super Kings, with five titles to their name. However, their last championship victory came in 2020, four seasons ago.
Hoping to reclaim their glory, MI made a bold move by bringing back former player Hardik Pandya from the Gujarat Titans, paying a significant transfer fee. The decision to replace long-time captain Rohit Sharma with Pandya sparked controversy and alienated many fans. Despite his past success, Pandya failed to make a significant impact on the field, leading to MI’s second wooden spoon finish in three years.
Comparing MI’s 2024 and 2022 Seasons
The 2024 season was a stark reminder of MI’s struggles in 2022, when they also finished last. Despite a brief resurgence in 2023, where they reached the playoffs and won the Eliminator before being knocked out by the Gujarat Titans, the team failed to maintain that momentum in 2024.
IPL 2022: A Season of Unprecedented Struggles
In the 2022 season, MI had a catastrophic start, losing their first eight matches. Their first victory came in the ninth game against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to a resilient half-century from Suryakumar Yadav. This win sparked a short-lived revival, with MI defeating the eventual champions Gujarat Titans in their next match.
However, their hopes for a playoff berth were crushed by a heavy defeat against the Kolkata Knight Riders, followed by inconsistent performances. Consolation wins against CSK and the Delhi Capitals provided little solace, as a crushing defeat by the SunRisers Hyderabad highlighted their deeper issues.
IPL 2024: A Hopeful Start Fizzles Out
The 2024 season initially seemed more promising than 2022. MI lost their first three matches but then secured a victory against the Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede. Pandya’s controversial appointment as captain continued to dominate headlines, overshadowing their on-field efforts.
Despite a strong win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru and a victory against Punjab Kings, MI’s season unraveled with a four-game losing streak. Hopes briefly revived with a win against a strong SunRisers Hyderabad team, but consecutive defeats to KKR and LSG sealed their fate.
Which Season Was Worse for MI?
When comparing the two seasons, it’s clear that 2022 was by far the worst season for MI. In 2022, they were out of contention almost immediately, failing to show any real fight until it was too late. The 2024 season, while still disappointing, featured moments of promise and a few standout performances. MI’s struggles in 2024 were more about failing to capitalize on opportunities, whereas in 2022, they were never truly in the race.
Ultimately, MI’s 2022 season stands out as the lowest point in their IPL history, with the team failing to arrive at the competition in any meaningful way. In contrast, the 2024 season was marked by missed opportunities and off-field controversies, making it a season of “what-ifs” rather than outright failure.
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