IPL 2014 - CSK vs MI: A must-win game from Mumbai Indians' perspective

Lack of runs from premier batsmen has been MI’s undoing so far

The implications of Mumbai Indians’ title defence so far has been a carbon copy of what Manchester United has undergone in the ongoing English Premier League season.

It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that Mumbai Indians (MI), the defending IPL champions, albeit a little weak on paper than they were last season, haven’t made their opponents sweat for victories in the 2 games that they have played so far.

The marauding batting line-up that has hogged the limelight throughout the history of the Indian Premier League has failed miserably, and barring a couple of decent knocks from Ambati Rayudu, the pillars of the MI batting line-up have capitulated to death. On the bowling front, Zaheer Khan has done well in the 2 games played, and barring an indifferent game against RCB, Lasith Malinga has played to potential as well.

As things stand, the concern for the MI think-tank has to be the batting, and the lack of runs from the premier batsmen in the side.

Michael Hussey, who will no doubt play against his former franchise, hasn’t played the role that he has been assigned, and looks to be a player who’s lacking in touch and rhythm. Rohit Sharma’s decision to position himself at no.4 in the batting order has proved contentious, and in hindsight has backfired as well. Rohit Sharma coming in at no.4 dents the chances of MI maintaining the necessary impetus during the middle phase of a T20 innings, and Rayudu is not the kind of batsman, who’ll give you 50 runs in 30 balls on most days at this level. The no.3 and no.4 spot in the MI batting order is something that Rohit Sharma, and other big voices in the side have to address.

Kieron Pollard is also a massive player in the MI batting line-up, but unfortunately the runs haven’t flown from the blade of the gargantuan West Indian, who is easily part of the nucleus of the MI side. It was purely because of Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard’s indispensable runs at various junctures during last season that Mumbai Indians managed to topple the Chennai Super Kings for their maiden IPL title. So, if MI have to improve their horrendous start to this IPL campaign, they will have to hope that Pollard and Rohit Sharma can get amongst the runs quickly.

Corey Anderson, who was supposed to be the marquee player of this IPL season, hasn’t brought his A-game to the fore, and it’s very tough to prosper as a team when your no.6 cannot garner runs at the rear-end of the T20 innings.

After 2 successive, morale sapping defeats against KKR and RCB, Mumbai Indians couldn’t have got a tougher assignment than facing the ever strong Chennai Super Kings outfit. And, I just think that this game against CSK could make or break MI’s dream of successfully defending their IPL title.

On the plus side, though, MI has been the only IPL franchise that has gone toe to toe with the Chennai franchise, and has come out on top more often than not. In the 15 IPL games between the sides, MI has won 9 games with CSK managing only 6 wins. So, if MI are indeed looking for some kind of an inspiration, their head-to-head record against CSK should act as a dose of confidence going into their 3rd game of the season.

With the batting proving to be the Achilles heel for the defending IPL champions, I just think that this game is the one, which requires you to make tough decisions, and MI simply have to make a colossal decision on the batting front, if they hope to resurrect a forgettable start to their IPL title defence.

Ben Dunk needs to be given a chance to show what he can bring to the table

I’d personally inject the Australian, Ben Dunk, in place of Corey Anderson, and have him batting at no.3, if Rohit Sharma is adamant enough to stick to his preferred no.4 position. This tweak in the batting order would mean that Mumbai Indians can have Hussey and Tare opening the innings, Ben Dunk slotting in at no.3, Rohit at no.4, Rayudu at no.5 and Pollard at no.6. Having Ben Dunk at no.3 will act as an insurance for MI, if they happen to lose one of their openers early on in the innings. And, Pollard at 6 will ease the pressure on him a little, and the lesser number of balls he gets to play, the more explosive he can prove to be.

It’s just a matter of one good game to turnaround a horrific start to the season, and it’s everything to play for, as far as Mumbai Indians are concerned. CSK vs MI is always a delicious IPL fixture, and I just think that MI will continue to be the greatest adversary for the Chennai Super Kings.

Ala re Ala!