Mumbai Indians’ (MI) middle-order has failed to step up to the plate so far but Suryakumar Yadav isn’t too concerned about it as he believes it is just a matter of one game before they bounce back strongly.
MI’s middle-order features hard-hitting batsmen like Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya but they haven’t performed to their potential in the Chennai leg of the tournament.
During their 9-wicket loss to Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Friday (April 23), skipper Rohit Sharma (63 off 52 balls) was the lone warrior with the bat as MI managed a below-par 131/6 in 20 overs.
Speaking after the game, Suryakumar, however, said performance of the middle-order was “not really” a cause of concern.
“…they have been working really hard in the nets, every-day, every practice session, it is just a matter of one game, I feel, that we will be coming back into the games,” he said in a virtual press conference.
“Every one is trying to take that responsibility in every game, it is just that it is not working, it happens in this sport, but I am sure they will come back really stronger.”
The defending champions have played all their five IPL 2021 matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium so far, registering two wins and losing three.
“Conditions are little-different here, but we are trying to play ourselves on such wickets in the practice,” said Suryakumar, who scored 33 off 27 balls against Punjab.
“We have faced this situation before and come back really stronger, so I feel we will come back really stronger, we fire in one game and then there is no looking back.”
Mumbai Indians are slated to play their next four matches in Delhi, beginning with the encounter against Rajasthan Royals on April 29.
“One phase is completely over, it is time for the next phase and I am sure 100 per cent, that we will start the next phase really strong and come back into the tournament really hard,” Suryakumar said.
(With PTI inputs)
