After analysing how Kolkata & Delhi (Part 1) and Gujarat & Punjab (Part 2) have fared so far, we shift focus on the two teams from Maharashtra – defending champions Mumbai Indians and IPL’s newest entrant, Rising Pune Supergiants.
Mumbai Indians
Krunal Pandya has been Mumbai’s X-factor
True to their record, the most dangerous team on paper, Mumbai Indians have begun their IPL campaign on a mixed note, winning 4 out of their 8 games. After the initial confusion which saw the team chop and change their batting order, the line-up sees a more settled look as they are currently on second position with 10 points in the IPL standings.
Highs – The most impressive performance for the Mumbai Indians has come from fast bowler Mitchell McCleneghan, who holds the Purple Cap, with 13 wickets in 9 games so far. The Kiwi, despite conceding almost 8.18 runs per over, has the knack of picking up wickets and breaking dangerous partnerships at crucial junctions for his team.
Tim Southee and Jasprit Bumrah have been ably supporting McCleneghan, especially at the death overs. The duo has snatched 20 wickets in 8 games, forming a formidable bowling unit for the MI.
With 383 runs in 9 games, Rohit Sharma has been in red hot form with 5 fifties. Leading from the front, the Mumbaikar has been opening the innings after coming down the order in the first few games, a move which has worked wonders thus far.
Stealing the limelight from brother Hardik, Krunal Pandya has fulfilled the job given to him, emerging as the surprise package for the Mumbai Indians. With a strike rate of 181.96 in 6 innings, the best in the tournament so far, the younger Pandya has been the X factor of the team.
Disappointments – After an impressive T20 World Cup, much was expected from Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder has picked up only 3 wickets and has been unable to set the stage on fire with the bat either.
Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was looking to make a comeback into the national squad courtesy an impressive IPL, has had a disappointing season so far, picking up only 5 wickets at an economy of 8.46. With his bowling lacking the sting, Bhajji has often been targeted by the opposition in the middle overs.
Expectations – With Keiron Pollard getting back in the groove after an indifferent start and the Indian players like Parthiv Patel and Ambati Rayudu chipping in regularly, the franchise looks a settled unit. With Corey Anderson in the reserves, it will take a royal mix-up from the team to miss out on a top 4 berth.
However, with their home matches shifted out of Mumbai to Vishakapatnam due to the drought conditions prevalent in Maharashtra, it is to be seen how the team adapts in the remaining 3 ‘home’ games away from their fortress Wankhede.
Remaining matches – (5)
08 May – MI vs SRH
11 May – RCB vs MI
13 May – MI vs KXIP
15 May – MI vs DD
21 May – GL vs MI
Is skipper Dhoni losing the Midas touch?
Unlike Gujarat Lions, the other new team on the horizon Rising Pune Supergiants languish at the second half of the IPL table, a result which has surprised many. Led by India’s most successful captain MS Dhoni, the team, boasting of a number of match winners, has failed to gel as a unit and except a few individual performances, the team as a whole has failed to inspire. The injury to mainstays Kevin Pietersen, Mitchell Marsh, Faf du Plessis and Steve Smith have further added to RPS’s woes.
Highs – Opener Ajinkya Rahane has constantly been providing the new franchisee with runs on top of the order, scoring 280 runs with four scores in excess of 50 in 8 games. A strike rate of 126.6 might raise a few eyebrows but the Indian’s form is a major reason why the team has managed a majority of the runs.
Steven Smith, with the second century of the season, was slowly getting back into form but got ruled out of the tournament with a wrist injury.
It was supposed to be Ravichandran Ashwin’s party, but his namesake Murugan Ashwin has been more in the news due to his leg break bowling. Checking the flow of runs with an economy of 7.82 the bowler who was snatched for 4.5 crores, along with Rajat Bhatia have been the unheralded star of the bowling attack.
Bhatia, the most underrated bowler of the IPL in all the seasons has been the pick of the bowlers for RPS so far. Even though he has only 5 wickets, a very impressive economy of 6.55 makes his 4 overs of medium pace the most vital overs of the match.
Disappointments – Is Ravichandran Ashwin losing the faith of Dhoni? A million dollar question, indeed. The off-spinner has bowled only 25 overs in 8 games, picking up only 3 wickets. With the pitch aiding the slower bowlers in the tournament, Ashwin’s lack of form has raised eyebrows.
The lack of an accurate Indian fast bowler – With Ishant Sharma, RP Singh and Ankit Sharma all proving expensive and non-effective in the games, Dhoni has been forced to rely on the foreign counterparts. Although Ashok Dinda played well against SRH, picking up 3/24, he was expensive in the game against GL, much to the dismay of GL. The reluctance to field Irfan Pathan is surprising.
Expectations – Blessed with a talented squad, the Supergiants have not been able to find their mojo, failing to play to their potential. With their home matches shifted to Vizag from Pune, adaption will be the key in their remaining 6 games. The inclusion of Usman Khawaja in place of injured du Plessis can be a blessing in disguise for the beleaguered team. If their abysmal performances continue, MSD’s team won’t be in the top 4 for the first time in 9 editions.
Remaining matches – (6)
05 May – DD vs RPS
07 May – RCB vs RPS
10 May – RPS vs SRH
14 May – KKR vs RPS
17 May – RPS vs DD
21 May – RPS vs KXIP
Watch this space for the reviews of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
All stats have been updated till 1st May 2016
