Mumbai, Daredevils seek to open IPL account
MUMBAI: The result in the first two matches may not have gone their way but defending champions Mumbai Indians have the template that can put them on the right track.
After losing two closely fought matches against Chennai Super Kings and the Sunrisers Hyderabad, they will be up against Delhi Daredevils, who have lost their opening two ties as well, at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
While Mumbai retained the core of the team with Rohit Sharma leading from the front, well supported by the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard, the new additions to the line-up have shown the spark and the Mumbai think-tank is positive that it will all come together sooner than later.
The Mumbai batting order looks more solid with the presence of Evin lewis, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. The bowling, which has been always their forte, has more variety with the addition of Mustafizur Rehman, Ben Cutting and this season’s surprise package Mayank Markande, who has bamboozled the opponents with his leg spin.
Mumbai have always backed
domestic talent and more often than not they have been rewarded. Markande was bought for just ~20 lakh but his value must have shot up considerably after scalping seven wickets in first two matches. Just like, Bumrah and the Pandya brothers, the Punjab-lad has grabbed the opportunity provided to him.
The decision to open with Rohit was a positive one, and like previous seasons Mumbai should not fall into the trap of moving him down the order to bring solidity to the middle-order. While Rohit in the past seasons have obliged to drop down the order for the team’s sake, it will be in the interest of everyone to let him open the innings.
The bowlers too recovered well, after being taken apart by Dwayne Bravo in the opener against Super Kings. Bumrah and Mustafizur were brilliant against Sunrisers and already look to have forged a lethal partnership along with Markande.
The batsmen, however, could be more selective. Even bowling coach Shane Bond felt that they could have been a little smarter against the Sunrisers.
“I thought we made some decision-making errors (against Sunrisers). There were chances where if we could have played a little bit smarter, we could’ve kicked on and probably got a score of 160-170 which would’ve been really tough against our bowling attack,” said the New Zealander.
Daredevils also have some explosive batsmen in the ranks in the form of local boy Shreyas Iyer, Gautam Gambhir, Rishabh Pant, Glenn Maxwell, and Colin Munro and if they get going they can dismantle any attack.
The good news for Mumbai is that Hardik Pandya, who had twisted his ankle against CSK and had to sit out the Sunrisers Hyderabad game, may feature against Delhi Daredevils.