After a forgettable outing in the IPL 2022, Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mahela Jayawardena was "brutally honest" in his evaluation, admitting the team failed to take control of important moments and did not play good cricket.
Mumbai will face Delhi Capitals (DC) in their final league match on Saturday (May 21), but even if they win, they will likely finish last on the points table.
“But having the quality that we have in the squad, yes, you have to be brutally honest, we haven’t played good cricket,” Mahela said on the eve of the game.
“Like I have said earlier, the intensity, we haven’t taken control of crucial moments in certain matches, we had that done (then) we had the confidence to get those four-five wins in a row, where we would be fighting for the play-offs, but it has been that kind of a season and (I am) definitely disappointed,” he added.
The main concern, according to the Sri Lankan icon, was not handling pressure circumstances early in the competition.
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The 44-year-old admitted that the side had the opportunity to win matches but they made mistakes.
“As any season where we start slow, which is a concern for us. The intensity that we played the first four-five games, where we had the opportunity to win matches (but) we didn’t execute certain skills, made mistakes, that is something we need to rectify.”
“Because getting those early wins always gives team confidence and then you win matches from nowhere that gives you the platform to get into the season and be dominant. So the intensity and execution, handling little pressure situations in those early stages of the tournament that probably was a main concern for us this year.”
“There were quite a few games that we had opportunities to win, usually we do finish those games and this year, we didn’t with the bat and ball, where we lost opportunities, so that is something we will speak to the guys and make sure that they are ready for challenges going forward,” he added.
The five-time champions paid a heavy price on English pacer Jofra Archer, knowing he would be injured for the entire season. Now the seamer has been ruled out of the entire English summer due to a stress fracture.
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However, the Mumbai side will monitor Archer's improvement, according to the former cricketer-turned coach, who is optimistic that Archer will be available next season, which is 10 months away.
“I think to be honest, it is too far ahead. Our team of experts will keep monitoring his (Archer’s) progress. He didn’t have these injuries in the past, so it is something new.”
“Hopefully it is nothing too bad. So we will see how he progresses, but 10 months till next IPL, so there is a lot of time to assess his situation and we are hoping that he makes a strong recovery and he will be available for us next season,” he signed off.
(PTI INPUTS)
