Brian Lara Worried About Mumbai Indians After Their Poor Start In IPL 2021
Apr 29, 2021 at 11:19 AM
Brian Lara, former West Indies skipper has said that he is worried about defending champions Mumbai Indians in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the IPL 2020 winner has not been able to get on a winning run yet losing 3 games and winning 2.
Mumbai Indians are currently placed at the fourth spot in the points table with four points from five games. The side played its first five games in Chennai and now the team will play its next matches in Delhi.
Brian Lara Worried About Mumbai Indians
After getting off to a losing start against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL opener, Mumbai got back to winning ways with two successive wins against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) before losing to Delhi Capitals (DC) – whom they had defeated in IPL 2020 final to lift a record fifth IPL title. They also lost to Punjab Kings.
“I mean, it’s such a tournament that it’s so hard to say. I think the teams that are winning, like RCB, will go to every venue with confidence. I think teams without confidence will see venues as a problem, they would see pitches as a problem,” Brian Lara said while speaking on Star Sports’ pre-show ‘Cricket Live’.
“I’m worried about Mumbai Indians. They are now going to another venue, which again, is a bit sluggish. How are they going to perform? I’m very, very worried about the double champions,” Brian Lara added.
Eyeing a hat-trick of IPL titles, MI’s campaign in the 14th edition has got off to a jittery start with the middle-order not being amongst the runs. Barring skipper Rohit Sharma, none of the batsmen have looked in form.
Mumbai Indians Failed To Score 170-180 Even Once In IPL 2021
Among bowlers, leg-spinner Rahul Chahar got plenty of purchase from the Chennai wicket while Jasprit Bumrah, MI’s highest wicket-taker last season, is yet to rediscover his form as the pacer just has 4 wickets to his name in 5 matches. Pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult played a key role in MI lifting their record fifth IPL title in the previous season.
In the previous match against KL Rahul-led Punjab Kings (PKBS), MI suffered a nine-wicket defeat as the bowlers struggled to grip the ball in the second innings due to the dew. Mumbai Indians have not been able to put up consistent performances with the bat and the side has failed to put up a score of 170-180 even once in the ongoing edition of the IPL.
Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya have not been able to show any form with the bat so far and the side would be looking to get the most of the experienced duo. Mumbai Indians will next take on Rajasthan Royals on Thursday here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the national capital.