Deccan Chargers ready for deflated Mumbai Indians
With five defeats in seven matches it hasn’t been an easy ride for Deccan Chargers this season thus far, but such is the nature of this format that past wins and losses matter little.
Momentum does count though, and the Chargers will be hoping to make use of their comprehensive 18-run win over the Pune Warriors on Thursday, when they take on a deflated Mumbai Indians side at the Wankhede on Sunday.
There is little doubt that Mumbai have the resources — any side with Sachin Tendulkar opening the batting, and Lasith Malinga spearheading the bowling will be — but after a promising start they’ve lost their way, and now have as many losses as their wins (four).
They are coming off a huge 37-run loss to title favourites Delhi Daredevils on Friday, a match that showed very clearly why Mumbai are failing.
Arguably the world’s best Twenty20 bowler, Malinga couldn’t prevent Daredevils from reaching the second highest total of the season.
It isn’t a reflection of Malinga’s lack of effectiveness, since he’s still the second highest wicket taker this season despite playing just five matches, but rather the lack of support he’s found at the other end, more specifically from skipper Harbhajan Singh, that has had a detrimental effect on the team.
The off-spinner is woefully out of form, with just one wicket from eight matches. Considering his performances, the lack of any sting in Bhajji’s bowling should be reason enough to drop himself.
Mumbai’s batting has been their biggest frailty this season, and their top order failed again against Delhi on Friday, with new openers Aiden Blizzard — the sixth new one in eight games — out for a duck.
Sunday night provides the Chargers with a great opportunity to avenge their loss to Mumbai in Vizag, where visitors’ Rohit Sharma hit a last-ball six to pull off a thriller. It was a game the Chargers should have won.
Chargers’ batting clicked against Pune, with Cameron White unleashing muscular straight hits en route to a 46-ball 78 (6x4, 5x6) and along with J.P. Duminy (26, 24b) helped set up the win. There’s still a lot of scope for improvement, but if Chargers can get past Mumbai, it will put their campaign firmly back on track.
Steyn is expected to return for Deccan on Sunday, and that alone will give Mumbai’s failing batting line-up a sleepless Saturday night.
Key player : Deccan Chargers JP Duminy
J.P. Duminy takes time charging up, but once he gets going, he’s hard to stop. He played second fiddle to White against Pune on Thursday and for the Chargers, who have been facing problems in the middle-order, his good form is great news
Key player : Mumbai Indians Kieron Pollard
He has been inconsistent, but the West Indies’ all-rounder is still an invaluable asset for MI. Pollard is an aggressive bat who can walk in at any point of the match and change it with a couple of blows. He’s also a useful bowler and an exceptional fielder.
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