Former West Indian cricketer Brian Lara recently weighed in on Mumbai Indians’ bowling unit, emphasizing their heavy reliance on star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Meanwhile, former cricketer Kevin Pietersen lauded Matheesha Pathirana’s stellar performance for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians.
Lara expressed concern about Mumbai Indians’ bowling frailties beyond Bumrah, noting that the lack of support bowlers was evident in their recent match against CSK. He highlighted the spinners’ limited impact, suggesting that Mumbai Indians need to bolster their bowling department to compete effectively in future matches.
“In Mumbai Indians, a lot of people have them as favorites, simply because they were batting so well. They chased down 196 against RCB, made it look very easy. But their bowling is poor. Beyond Jasprit Bumrah, there is no one to actually support them in that bowling attack, and the CSK batters took them apart. MI will have to improve in that area,” Brian Lara remarked during Star Sports’ Cricket Live.
ALSO READ: Adam Gilchrist’s Insights On Hardik Pandya, MI, and Captaincy Stir IPL Debate
He further emphasized the importance of a well-rounded bowling unit, pointing out that every bowler in CSK’s lineup contributed significantly to their recent victory over Mumbai Indians. Lara commended CSK’s varied bowling attack and underscored the need for Mumbai Indians to identify and nurture match-winning bowlers within their squad.
On the other hand, Kevin Pietersen hailed Matheesha Pathirana’s exceptional performance for CSK against Mumbai Indians. Pietersen praised Pathirana’s unorthodox bowling action and strategic approach, highlighting the challenges it posed for the opposing batsmen.
“Pathirana’s bowling is very unorthodox, and with such bowlers, you need to be patient and adjust your approach. His delivery is not conventional, making it difficult to predict and face,” Kevin Pietersen remarked.
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli Engages in Friendly Banter With Muttiah Muralitharan Ahead Of IPL Showdown
He also elaborated on Pathirana’s unique ability to generate reverse swing with the older ball, likening it to the legendary Lasith Malinga’s bowling style. Kevin Pietersen emphasized the difficulty of facing a bowler with Pathirana’s deceptive angles and dipping deliveries, particularly in the later stages of the innings.
Pietersen concluded by praising Matheesha Pathirana’s impactful four-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians, highlighting his knack for dismissing key batsmen rather than just tailenders. He hailed Pathirana as a valuable asset for CSK and commended his crucial contributions to the team’s success in the match.
