IPL 8: What's not Clicking for the Mumbai Indians?
Mumbai Indians have some very big names, both in their squad and in the support staff, but they are yet to open their account in IPL 2015. What's not clicking for Rohit Sharma and his team?
Three matches. Three losses. The 2013 champions of the Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians, are not just at the bottom half of the points table, but are struggling to come together as a unit.
There's no dearth of big names in their squad. The team has the likes of Rohit Sharma, Aaron Finch (who is currently injured), Kieron Pollard, Corey Anderson, Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh. Behind the scenes they boast of big names like Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Jonty Rhodes and Shane Bond. (Mumbai Indians Lacking in Confidence, Says Captain Rohit Sharma)
So what's not clicking for Mumbai?
NDTV IPL expert and former Australian cricketer Dean Jones broke down Mumbai's struggles in his analysis. (Corey Anderson Aims to Improve his Finishing Skills)
"They are not getting enough runs early. Of all the IPL matches played, the average 3rd wicket falls around 82. Mumbai's losing their 3rd wicket around 33, so they are not making enough runs at the get go", said Jones.
Two of Mumbai's batsmen (Anderson and Rohit Sharma) are in the top 10 batsmen's list of this season. They have the big hitters no doubt, what they don't have so far is consistency.
Dean Jones pulled out some stats for Mumbai's bowling. (Good Performance Around the Corner, Claims Mumbai Indians Coach Ricky Ponting)
"With the ball, they on an average get their 3rd wicket with the opposition on 107. They are in all sorts of trouble," Jones told NDTV.
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Not everyone thinks it's time to press the panic button though.
Former India captain and NDTV IPL expert Sunil Gavaskar said, "They didn't do too well in the UAE last year, but look at the way they came back. I wouldn't be too worried. Sometimes teams are slow starters and Mumbai Indians are definitely starting slow."
At a time when the team is still searching for that elusive first win, perhaps one thing they can refrain from is too much experimentation and Gavaskar echoed the same sentiment.
He said, "They should look at avoiding too many changes in the batting order. Rohit Sharma got 98* in the first match and then drops himself down the order for the third match. I don't think that makes sense. Somebody of his calibre, who opens the batting for India in the 50 overs game, should open the batting in a T20 game as well."
Rohit perhaps will be compelled to return to the top of the order, considering their new regular opener Aaron Finch is injured. The question is - who is the best man to replace Finch?
"They will be looking to make a change at the top of the order. Lendl Simmons, who batted so well last season when he got the opportunity, needs to come through", Gavaskar told NDTV.
There's still a long way to go in the tournament. Momentum however can be a very important factor, especially in the slam-bang version of the game. Ponting and his team will be hard at work at the drawing table.