IPL 2019: Mumbai Indians Head Coach Reveals Unpredictability Was the Key Behind Their Success Against KKR

May 7, 2019 at 10:44 AM

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IPL 2019: Mumbai Indians Head Coach Reveals Unpredictability Was the Key Behind Their Success Against KKR

Mumbai Indians made light work of Kolkata Knight Riders in the final group match of Vivo IPL 12 after they thrashed the two-time champions by 9 wickets to ensure a top spot in the league stage. Meanwhile, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene stated that it was the unpredictability with the ball in hand which was key to the success of Mumbai Indians in their final league game.

It was a sensational bowling performance by the Mumbai Indians as they managed to restrict KKR to a below-par score of 134 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The biggest positive for MI was dismissing Andre Russell in the very first ball of his innings. He tried to take evasive action but the well directed short delivery from Lasith Malinga took his glove as Quinton de Kock took a safe catch behind the stumps.

MI, KKR, IPL 2019, statistical highlights
Mumbai Indians (Image Credit: IPL)

Eventually, Mumbai Indians chased the target down with utmost ease. Rohit Sharma scored his 2nd half-century of the season and led from the front. The hosts chased the target down by 9 wickets and with 23 deliveries to spare.

When asked whether it was the plan to use several bowlers in the powerplay and target Andre Russell with a short and slow bouncer, Mahela Jayawardene said that MI never wanted to be predictable.

“We didn’t want to be predictable. I thought we were bit predictable in Kolkata and in that scenario they batted well. So, we wanted to make sure that we don’t give them that familiarity and try and create opportunity to take wickets.”

Hardik Pandya bagged the Man of the Match Award but not for his batting heroics but for his prowess with the ball. He bagged the wickets of Shubhman Gill and Chris Lynn who had got KKR off to a good start. Hardik Pandya bowled in the right areas and kept chipping away with some important wickets.

Hardik Pandya | IPL 2019 |
Hardik Pandya. Credit: BCCI

“We didn’t get wickets (initially) but Hardik came and picked up those wickets and I thought Krunal (Pandya) bowled brilliantly to keep the pressure on and it was a good combination. Then Mali (Malinga) with his experience, coming back and picking a couple of wickets, we just didn’t give them loose balls this time around and that’s what a quality attack can do,” he noted.

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