IPL 2024: Lara points out loophole in Mumbai Indians’ bowling, cites lack of support to Bumrah

Former West Indies great Brian Lara has pointed out a loophole in Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack that failed to restrict Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under 200 the other night, that eventually led to a lossby 20 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was MI’s star bowler, conceding 27 runs from four overs, and was the only silver lining in their attack, with everyone else getting exposed at the Wankhede Stadium.

Speaking on Star Sports Cricket Live, Lara, as an expert on the show, said everyone picks MI to show up and deliver only because of their star-studded batting line-up, not for their bowling line-up that lacks quality beyond Bumrah.

Commenting on what led the home side to suffer a defeat despite doing well across both innings in the previous matches at this venue, Lara said,

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“I think when we look at Mumbai Indians, a lot of people have them as favourites, simply because they were batting so well, they came and they scored 230 runs, they chased on 196, made it look very easy, 15 overs, so on that fact I think, we pick them as favourites for this game, but their bowling is poor,” Lara said.

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For CSK, Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube scored fifties, with Dube being the attacker of the two. Despite not facing the spinners, the lanky batter slammed a 38-ball 66, hitting two sixes and 10 fours. However, Bumrah’s exploits during the fag end impressed everyone, but not having anyone else to support from the other side costthe hosts the game.

“Beyond Jasprit Bumrah, there was no one to support them in that bowling attack, and the CSK batters took them apart. The spinners, only bowled four overs after around seven runs an over, but they weren’t trusted with Shivam Dube out there, so MI will have to improve in that area,” Lara opined.

Chennai beat Mumbai at Wankhede

Chennai batted first and smashed a whopping total of 206 for four. While Dube and Gaikwad contributed majorly, MS Dhoni’s cameo of unbeaten 20 off four balls, including three successive sixes in the final over, stole all the limelight.

Mumbai’s chase was right on track before Pathirana got introduced to the attack, breaking stumps, partnerships and fans’ hearts at will. Although Rohit Sharma was their lone warrior, smashing a hundred, the hosts fell shy of beating their rivals at home.

With the win, CSK moved to the third spot on the points table.