Beleaguered defending champions Mumbai Indians have received a much-needed injury boost ahead of their third game. Their star allrounder Hardik Pandya has been declared fit for their upcoming game against Delhi Daredevils.
Pandya missed the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad due to the injury he had sustained in the season-opener against Chennai Super Kings. The allrounder had twisted his ankle while batting during the game. He had to be escorted off the ground but later returned to bowl. He sweated it out during an optional Mumbai training session on Friday. After a brief warm-up, Pandya was right on the money as he bowled almost three overs to Evin Lewis.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians will be desperate to open their account. They have lost both of their opening games. They are now up against a side which has started the season in similar fashion. Delhi have also lost both of their opening games. As a result, both the teams will be desperate to get back to winning ways.
Mumbai’s batting have not quite lived up to expectations so far. Rohit Sharma have failed to lead from the front which has put the pressure on a relatively inexperienced middle-order. Meanwhile, in form of Mayank Markande, Mumbai have unearthed another gem.
The 20-year old leg-spinner has set the stage ablaze with his performances in the first to games. He has picked up seven wickets in two games including that of MS Dhoni.
“If you see in the last two to three years, spinners are doing well in the T20 format. If spinners are brought on after the sixth over and bowl till the 15th over, and if they pick a maximum of two or three wickets in that period, they are doing an exceptional job for the team,” Delhi spinner Shahbaz Nadeem said during the pre-match conference.
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