Rohit Sharma continues run drought as Mumbai Indians suffer worst losing streak in IPL
After four matches in IPL this year, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has all of 83 runs. This includes a fifty - the only half-century from any Mumbai Indians' player this year.
Defending Indian Premier League champions Mumbai Indians are really in the doldrums this year. The Rohit Sharma-led team suffered its fourth straight defeat on Sunday. It is Mumbai's worst losing streak in IPL.
Mumbai Indians lost by six wickets to Delhi Daredevils after scoring 125 for six in their 20 overs. Kieron Pollard top scored with 33 not out as New Zealander Corey Anderson and Australian specialist Mike Hussey continued their lean run. Rohit Sharma, who opened the innings, was unlucky to be run out for 4. Mumbai's 125 for six was their third lowest against Delhi Daredevils.
An indication of Mumbai Indians' poor form has been their inability to score 150 even once in their first four games. Their 141 for seven against Chennai Super Kings in Dubai on April 25 has been their highest so far. No wonder they have sought help from former Australian legend and their official captain last season, Ricky Ponting.
After first four matches, not even a single Mumbai batsman has managed 100 runs in IPL 2014. Ambati Rayudu (98), Rohit Sharma (83), Anderson (72) and Aditya Tare (72) are the top run-getters. Sharma is the only batsman to score a 50 (versus Chennai) for Mumbai this year.
West Indian Pollard took his aggregate to 1113 (ave.25.88) in 66 matches. Only three batsmen have managed more runs than Pollard for Mumbai at the IPL - Sachin Tendulkar (2334), Rayudu (1447) and Sharma (1426). (Points Table | Fixtures)
Meanwhile, Delhi's magnificent six-wicket triumph is their seventh in 13 matches against Mumbai Indians. Delhi have won 44 and lost 50 games out of 96 played at the IPL (Tied one and NR 1) with a winning percentage of 46.84.
The leading run-getters for Delhi in IPL 2014 are -- Jean-Paul Duminy (173), Murali Vijay (121) and Dinesh Karthik (94). South African Duminy is averaging 86.50 -- his tally being 173 in five innings, including two fifties.
Mumbai's bowlers have generally done well in the IPL with the three top wicket-takers being Lasith Malinga (110), Harbhajan Singh (80) and Pollard (51). However, the top four wicket-takers in the present tournament are Sunil Narine (9), Malinga (7), Mitchell Starc (7) and Lakshmipathy Balaji (7).
(With inputs from Rajesh Kumar)