IPL 6: MI v/s PWI - The Quick Flicks

Pune Warriors’ supporters must be extremely distraught at the shabby performance of their team. There is no single reason for the horrendous run of defeats the side has endured – 12 straight losses in 14 games. Against their powerhouse neighbours Mumbai, Pune really did not have a clue towards the end of their own innings or towards the middle stages of MI’s batting. The result was all too familiar for the Sahara franchise – Mumbai ran out winners by 5 wickets. Here are some of the snapshots of the game from Gahunje:

Debut of the Million-Dollar Man

Finally, the much-awaited debut of the Australian Million-Dollar Man came to pass. Glenn Maxwell, drafted in as a replacement for West Indian Kieron Pollard, made an appearance in what eventually turned out to be a one-sided encounter again. The all-rounder turned in a reasonably good performance first up and was there when MI rounded out the win. One hopes he gets to play more games for the RIL-owned franchise; after all, Glenn’s potential needs to be Maxed-well (a dropped catch notwithstanding)!

5 Changes and yet another Loss

Pune Warriors made 5 changes to their side today and yet ended up on the losing side. The way they constantly keep chopping and changing, it reminds me of the Indian cricket team of the 1990s – much worse than a horses-for-courses policy. Just goes to show how desperately the franchise is waiting for a win. In a few words: “It’s a bunch of scrambled minds in that team.“

Mendis Turns Back The Clock

Sri Lanka’s first ‘mystery’ bowler of the 21st century turned back the clock for a brief moment during MI’s innings today. He foxed Sachin Tendulkar with a well-delivered carrom ball, resulting in a soft dismissal for the Master. Watching a replay on the big screen as he walked back, the great man must have felt a sense of deja vu , of the moment when he was completely outwitted by Mendis during India’s 2008 tour to the Island Nation.

Dinda The Enigma

The pacer is really an enigma – he starts off bowling right on the money and then gives it all away. Today was no exception. If only he can cut out the jump he makes before delivering the ball, he’d be a better bowler. After castling Dwayne Smith first ball, he was then tonked by Maxwell towards the end of the innings.

As my Operations professor would say, this is simply not on, PWI. A lot of re-work is needed. PWI’s thinking processes need to be re-engineered to deliver maximum value with the greatest efficiency. One only wonders if JIT (just-in-time) can be the way out for this struggling side. Let’s hope they deliver a better showing in the next edition.