IPL 2015 Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians: Last Chance For Struggling Aaron Finch, Will Watson Play?
Rajasthan Royals will host Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night. A lot of focus will be on the Australian players and particularly Mumbai's Aaron Finch, who is yet to shine in IPL 2015.
0, 5, 8. Those have been the scores of Aaron Finch in his last three innings. The duck came in the World Cup final. Before that, he scored a slow yet decisive 81 (off 116 balls) against India in the World Cup semifinal in Sydney. Before that crucial match at the SCG, Finch managed just 64 runs in his last five ODIs.(Mumbai Look for Turnaround vs Rajasthan)
Clearly, Aaron Finch is struggling. At his best in the World Cup, he had a strike-rate of just 69. T20 is a faster format and in the IPL, a man who has been paid Rs 3.2 crore, is expected to score at a strike-rate of probably 169!(Fixtures|Points Table)
Mumbai, of course, have a back-up option in Lendl Simmons. The West Indian has performed remarkably well for them in the past. So, it's perform or perish for Finch.(IPL 2015: Full Coverage)
"Finch needs to improve. If he fails one more time, they will go to Simmons. I think you give three times (chances), that's the reason we've (Australia) won five World Cups," said Dean Jones to NDTV.
Another Australian yet to make his presence felt in this IPL is World Cup-winner Shane Watson. The burly Aussie all-rounder, who is nursing an injury, may miss Rajasthan Royals' third match on-the-trot.
"There is a question mark on Watson. My source and whispers tell me he won't play in this match (vs Mumbai)," said Jones.
Tuesday's match is crucial for Mumbai. The former champions are without a win in two games so far. Rajasthan have won both their fixtures so far. Watson can probably breathe a little easy.