Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2023 campaign is yet to commence as they would’ve liked, losing their first two matches against rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In both matches, MI’s batting failed terribly and former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that MI will not be able to go far if Suryakumar Yadav doesn’t score runs.
World No.1 T20 batter Suryakumar is witnessing a rough patch. He scored 15 runs against RCB before getting cheaply out for just one run against CSK. The right-hander had also registered three consecutive golden ducks in the recent ODI series against Australia. Chopra said that Suryakumar is going through “bad times” and it is a “bit of a problem” for Mumbai Indians.
Commenting on the same in the latest video on his Youtube channel, Aakash Chopra said, “Suryakumar Yadav is also going through bad times. That is a bit of a problem because Mumbai will not be able to go far if Surya doesn’t score runs.”
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Tim David helped Mumbai Indians to reach 157/8 after the top-order failed to convert its start. In reply, Ajinkya Rahane came out all guns blazing as he amassed 61 off 27 balls helping Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to chase down the target in 18.1 overs. With the win, CSK pulled one back in their head-head-record against MI at the Wankhede Stadium 4-7.
Elaborating the same, Aakash Chopra said, “Wankhede’s fort has also been breached. Mumbai, just like last year, are still searching for its first win. We saw Mumbai’s batting getting razed to the ground once again. 60 runs in the first six overs – Rohit Sharma at one end and Ishan Kishan along with him, both went great guns but after that when the wickets started to fall, they didn’t take the name of stopping at all.”
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He further added, “There was depth in batting. Even Tristan Stubbs played this time. Tim David and Tilak Varma were also there. They are rating Arshad Khan very highly, so he was even sent to bat slightly up the order but no one managed to bat well. “Tim David did throw this bat around a little towards the end but the spinners took five wickets. Incredible amount of turn, which was slightly surprising, but they used it well.”
Mumbai Indians, who finished last in the 10-team tournament in 2022, are next scheduled to meet Delhi Capitals on April 11 in New Delhi. DC, on the other hand, have lost three consecutive matches.
