When the pressure was sky-high, these MI batters kept their cool and let the bat do the talking — here’s a look back at their finest playoff knocks
There's something about the IPL playoffs that pushes a cricketer to the edge. The lights shine brighter, the stakes are higher, and there's no room for error. Yet, time and again, five-time champions Mumbai Indians have uncovered heroes who stepped up, dug in, and prevailed when it mattered most.
Here's a stroll down memory lane as we explore the top five individual playoff innings played by the Mumbai Indians' batters—performances that tilted matches, turned tides, and engraved names into the hearts of fans.
Qualifier 1, Chennai. A tricky pitch. A modest chase of 132. But things weren't going to be easy — not against Chennai Super Kings in their den. In walked Suryakumar Yadav, and he didn't merely hang around — he held the entire chase together.
With 10 fours and absolutely no need to go aerial, SKY anchored the innings like a craftsman. His unbeaten 71 off 54 balls didn't just guide Mumbai to the final — it transformed a potential banana peel into a cakewalk. His strike rate of 131.48 was ideal for the surface, and the fact that he batted all the way to the end secured his "Player of the Match" award.
If 2013's Qualifier 1 had a script, Dwayne Smith tore it to shreds in just 28 balls. Chasing a mammoth 193 against a red-hot CSK side, Mumbai needed a blinder, and Smith provided the fireworks.
Credit: ICTU
He smashed 6 fours and 5 sixes, amassing 68 runs at a strike rate of 242.85. Although MI couldn't overhaul the target, Smith's cameo was the spark in the night sky — wild, rapid, and unforgettable. The scoreboard pressure was real, but Smith didn't just push back — he ploughed through.
Playoff nerves? Not when Lendl Simmons is at the crease. In the 2014 Eliminator against CSK at Brabourne, Simmons crafted a calm and clinical 67 off 44 balls, with 5 fours and 4 sixes. He found the gaps, cleared the ropes when necessary, and kept the innings ticking at over a 150 strike rate.
Although MI finished with 173 and CSK easily chased down the target, Simmons' innings was the glue that held the batting together. He played the waiting game and capitalised when the bowlers erred — textbook T20 composure under pressure.
A year later, it was CSK again — and Simmons came calling once more. This time at Wankhede in Qualifier 1. Mumbai batted first and needed a strong start. Simmons dropped anchor, scored 65 off 51 balls, and helped MI put 187 on the board.
Credit: ESPN
His innings featured 3 fours and 5 sixes — a perfect blend of caution and aggression. With this platform, MI cruised through and booked another final ticket. Though Simmons may not have been flashy, he got the job done. And that's what playoff cricket is all about.
If you thought Smith's 68 was a one-off, think again. Just a few days later, in the same season, he stepped up against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. Chasing 166 under pressure at Eden Gardens, Smith accumulated 62 runs off 44 balls.
Credit: Cricket Country
His 6 boundaries and 2 sixes kept MI in the hunt even as wickets fell around him. They crossed the finish line with just one ball to spare, and Smith's innings laid the foundation. Clutch, gritty, and full of character.
