New Delhi, Delhi, India

By: Mukesh Bansal*

Advertisment

Defending champion Mumbai suffered a very poor start in the eleventh edition of IPL. They have lost five out of the six games played so far. Few of the defeats were very painful as the match went to the last ball of the innings. In a format like IPL, luck matters a lot with hard work and intent.

Currently positioned at the bottom of the points table, every single match is very crucial for the team Mumbai and no scope of error is left.

In their seventh match against Chennai, which is scheduled to take place on April 28, team Mumbai has to be 100 per cent accurate with team selection, plans and executions. As one more loss will diminish their chances of qualifying for playoffs.

Advertisment

Chennai sitting at top of the points table and currently is in tremendous form and after chasing a mammoth target of 202 runs against Bangalore.

They have gained a required momentum and are very confident while Mumbai after a tragic defeat against Hyderabad look flatter.

For Mumbai, the upcoming match against Chennai at Pune will be very confronting considering the form and momentum of Chennai.

Advertisment

They will be under an added pressure of a must-win scenario as if they lose this one then they have to win all seven of their remaining matches.

The biggest worry for team Mumbai is the current form of Rohit Sharma, being one the cleanest hitter, Rohit has failed to perform in IPL 2018.

He must re-strategise and make necessary changes in the team if he looks to win tonight's clash.

The bowlers mainly Jasprit Bumrah and Mustafizur Rahman need to take responsibility and lead the attack from the front while batsmen need to take a calculative risk as they can’t afford any lapse.

Mumbai had achieved this miraculous feat in 2015 when they were at same position winning just one out of six and from there they picked up the momentum and went on to win the tournament.

They also have an experienced management staff with the veteran like Sachin Tendulkar who has been guiding the players to play a good cricket in any situation.

If Mumbai manage to win the clash against Dhoni-led Chennai then it will be a massive boost to the entire team.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)