Let’s start at the auction. I personally feel there was a view to the future with acquisitions such as Joffre Archer who was clearly unlikely to play any part this year. Add to that Tim David who will be a star in this competition in future years particularly when Kieron Pollard moves on.
Tim David and Kieron Pollard offer very similar attributes to any team. They both are stunning hitters who can change the course of a game especially towards the end. Realistically though too similar to get them both in the same side.
Dewalt Brevis has been outstanding so far and forced his way into the side as Mumbai rightly realised, they needed to change the balance of their side after a couple of games. He too though would have been a pick with future years in mind.
These three players alone commanding a sizeable amount of the budget. I would expect opportunities now for some squad players with a view to next year having lost their opening seven games.
Any team needs its senior players to lead from the front. On paper Mumbai Indians have a blockbuster batting line up that in reality has stuttered and stumbled. No bigger loss than Rohit Sharma who’s been unable to convert good starts.
There was always going to be pressure on the batting line up as the bowling options always looked weaker and less reliable. Ishan Kishan’s balance at the crease has left him as has his confidence. Tactically I have been surprised how Suryakumar Yadav has been used – almost held back in the early overs after wickets have been falling regularly.
I believe you get your best and most likely players to shape the course of an innings in early particularly when you have a method that shouldn’t be exposed by opponents’ best bowlers. Opposition sides have seen SKY spending too much time sitting in the dugout waiting to come in. In their most recent game against CSK, SKY did bat at No 4 though.
Kieron Pollard has been a colossus for Mumbai Indians for many years. He can’t be expected to haul his team over the line every game but realistically would have expected to make a couple of match winning contributions in the first seven games. Sides are employing spin and particularly leg spin and the Googly is proving to be a very effective ploy against him.
His focus now will be on franchise cricket having recently retired from international cricket, and recapturing his best and most destructive form. Tilak Varma has been excellent and his individual performances showing his ability to hit boundaries but more importantly read game situations. He has batted smartly and intelligently.
Their bowling was always going to be their Achilles heel, very reliant on Jasprit Bumrah. So much so that tactically he has not been used wisely in most games. He should open the bowling for an over or two, ask any opening batter whether they would rather face him in the first over or not? It’s a simple answer. Sure, save him for the final overs but your best bowlers set the tone for an innings and that has hindered their campaign.
Trent Boult is being seriously missed and Daniel Sams showed signs in the recent game he can have a real impact. Tymal Mills has been expensive and looks like he is not bowling as quickly as he can. Mid 140kph is his regular output, he is a 150kmp bowler when in rhythm and confident. I love it when he has a clear mind and runs in and bowls as quick as he can rather than focus on accuracy.
Unadkat has proved effective with the new ball but the bowling unit has not clicked and spin overs also proving expensive generally. The bowling attack has lacked potency although in their most recent game against CSK with Riley Merideth they look to be going in the right direction and almost pulled off a victory.
MS Dhoni hauled his team over the line with some dramatic last gasp hitting that reminded you of the glory days. His ability to back himself to take the game deep and take ultimate responsibility to win the game will be part of his legacy. Extraordinary self-belief and accountability.
CSK will feel they should have won their last 3 games. When a team is performing below its best it looks for a spark and possibly Dhoni’s innings against Mumbai might just provide that. Along with a batting line up that form players.
The pitches drying out and changing in nature too helps a side reliant on spin and pace off bowlers though finishing games with the ball is a real worry.
With all that said the key for CSK moving forward is whether the captain can find his feet with his new role, they desperately miss Jadeja’s all round talents, if he can find his mojo again so can CSK.
