IPL 2022: Mumbai Indians looking for one high after five lows

That’s what Mumbai Indians intend to experience today against Lucknow Super Giants at Brabourne; star batter Suryakumar Yadav optimistic that things will fall back into shape for five-time champions

IPL-15 began three weeks ago, but Mumbai Indians (MI), the most successful team in the league’s history, are yet to open their account. The five-time champion side have lost all their five games and will be hoping to reverse the trend against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Brabourne Stadium today.  

‘Just a matter of few games’

Star batsman Suryakumar Yadav, who has scored 163 in three games with two half-centuries, is optimistic about his team bouncing back. “It’s still a champion team and it will always be a champion side! It’s just a matter of a few games. I feel very happy for the few people who have just joined and doing really well. Dewald [Brevis] and Tilak [Varma], have been really good with the way they are taking responsibility since the first game. I am sure they are going to make it really big,” Suryakumar said during a virtual press conference on the eve of the game.

‘No need to panic’

While insisting that he enjoys batting at any number, Suryakumar made it clear that there is no need to press the panic button. “We are playing some good cricket from Game One and there has been no situation to panic for a team like MI. We have been following good processes in the past few years and we are just sticking to it. If we keep doing it, we will eventually get our first win.”

Skipper Rohit Sharma (108 runs), all-rounder Kieron Pollard (57 and one wicket) and opener Ishan Kishan (178) are yet to find momentum. When mid-day asked Suryakumar as to whether seniors in the team should take more responsibility, he said: “Everyone’s trying their best, no one actually gets out like that. It’s all about a few games and the way they [senior MI players] are playing, the way they have been putting in the hard work at practice sessions, I am sure it is going to come.” 
Meanwhile, MI are looking at investing in young players for the future. “There have been a lot of positives. We are building this team for the next three-four years. A few years down the line, you will see some great players coming out of this team,” Suryakumar assured.
Bowling concern

Mumbai’s bowling is highly dependent on speedster Jasprit Bumrah, but he has managed just four scalps from five games. The other bowlers—left-arm pacer Tymal Mills (six wickets), pacer Basil Thampi (five), leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin (five) and left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat (two) are struggling too. 

It will be interesting to see whether MI get that much needed win or whether the KL Rahul-led Lucknow outfit earn their fourth. Over to Brabourne.

81.50
Suryakumar Yadav’s average in IPL-15. The right-handed batsman has scored 163 runs in three matches

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