IT’S NOW OR OVER

Mumbai Indians face Chennai Super Kings in battle to save hosts from IPL elimination

On the verge of elimination after six losses on the trot, a horribly out of form Mumbai Indians would need to notch up their first win of this IPL to remain afloat when they face Chennai Super Kings here on Thursday.

Five-time champions Mumbai have not won a single match this season and a loss on Thursday would send them packing from the tournament.

Defending champions CSK, who are just a rung above bottom-placed MI, have also faltered as a team though there has been a few instances of individual brilliance. With five losses from six games, a defeat on Thursday

would also send them on the brink of elimination.

For Mumbai, the biggest concern is the form of skipper Rohit Sharma, who has gathered only 114 runs from six innings. If Mumbai have to chase or set up a big total, he will have to do the bulk of scoring.

Young batter Ishan Kishan has also not justified his heavy price tag of Rs 15.25 crore. He needs to do more than the 191 runs from six matches with the help of two half centuries.

The likes of Dewald Brevis, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav have played some scintillating knocks individually but together need to take responsibility in the middle-order.

Another disappointment so far has been all-rounder Kieron Pollard, whose ability to win matches has been on the wane. With just 82 runs, Pollard has been a complete failure, even as questions have cropped up over his retention.

Mumbai have the batting ammunition, at least on paper, but they have not exploded in unison as yet. They would be hoping that to happen against CSK inexperienced attack.

MI coach Mahela Jayawardene and captain Rohit Sharma have a lot of issues to take care of