MI defeat SRH. (IPL/PTI) Greener pastures
When Mumbai Indians acquired Cameron Green, there were questions as to where they will fit him in to get the best out of him. After all, Green has been a gun batter for Australia at the top, where his power-hitting was unstoppable at the top.
But with Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma in as openers, Mumbai have been flexible with their line-up to get the best out of Green, Suryakumar Yadav and Tim David. While Green has also performed as a finisher, what has stood out has been his adaptability.
Sent at No 3 after losing Kishan early, it was Green who not only took the attack to the opposition, but also made light work of the chase. The unbeaten 100 off just 47 deliveries just seemed so casual as Green made it look ridiculously easy in the middle.
– Venkata Krishna B
𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣!
How good was that knock in the chase 🙌
Relive that 💯 moment here 🔽 #TATAIPL | #MIvSRH pic.twitter.com/ZugNklUFKI
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2023
Hitman rides on luck
The Hitman hasn’t been at his best in the format of late and there have been questions whether he should be part of India’s T20 set up going forward. In a season where Mumbai Indians have been slow to catch up, Rohit Sharma has had a rollercoaster ride. Having lost Ishan Kishan early in the chase and Cameron Green getting off the blocks quickly, Rohit patiently went about his innings scoring just 16 off his first 16 deliveries he faced. However, once Green provided Mumbai with the momentum, Rohit tried to break the shackles and with help from Sanvir Singh who dropped him twice (12 & 51), he went on to provide a solid foundation for the middle-order.
The @mipaltan Captain is leading from the front in the chase 🙌
A brilliant half-century from @ImRo45 👌🏻
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/vJfkI6nj57 #TATAIPL | #MIvSRH pic.twitter.com/ZgJMLhEBVZ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2023
– Venkata Krishna B
Markram not on the mark
In the last match against Royal Challengers Banglore, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Aiden Markram’s comments at the toss was, “I don’t really know what’s happening with him behind the scenes”. This when why Umran Malik hasn’t been playing, was raising eyebrows. And on Sunday as Markram confirmed a couple of changes, he wasn’t sure of them, which was a fair reflection of Hyderabad this season. Having assembled a strong squad on paper, and playing under a new captain, the Sunrisers have looked totally out of depth. This is a season that Hyderabad would prefer to forget in time particularly if they want to start fresh next season with the same set of players.
– Venkata Krishna B
Agarwal conundrum
When Hyderabad bought Mayank Agarwal at the auction, it seemed like an ideal fit. With Harry Brook, Glenn Phillips, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen in the mix and Agarwal being a transformed player in T20s over the last couple of seasons. Hyderabad’s batting looked strong on paper especially if one counted in Rahul Tripathi, Abhishek Sharma and Washington Sundar. But the lack of clarity from the team management as to how and where to slot the resources means, Agarwal has had a disappointing season. An opener all along, he was pushed down the order to accommodate Brook at the top and subsequently ended up even missing his place. A player who could do no wrong during the domestic season was made to look clueless. And the lack of confidence has reflected in the middle as well for Agarwal. Time to pack and move on for Agarwal?
8️⃣3️⃣ runs
4️⃣6️⃣ balls
8️⃣ fours
4️⃣ sixes@mayankcricket spread his magic in Mumbai & how 🙌Sit back and enjoy his knock here 🎥🔽 #TATAIPL | #MIvSRHhttps://t.co/sIAOUhgVdi
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2023
– Venkata Krishna B
Another gem from Jammu and Kashmir
A lot has been said about the shortcomings of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s management, especially regards to chopping and changing frequently. But one area where they have been as good as other teams or even better than some is their talent tapping. Be it with Abdul Samad, Umran Malik or Abhishek Sharma, SRH have invested in unheradled young talents, who have been thrown in the deep end. The latest in the list is Vivrant Sharma, the all-rounder from Jammu and Kashmir who top-scored with 69 — the highest for any batsman in his maiden innings in the IPL. The left-hander isn’t as free-flowing as Samad, but is very efficient. Having been part of the SRH set up as a net bowler last year, his batting impressed the management and fending of interest from Kolkata Knight Riders, he was acquired for Rs 2.6 crore.
5️⃣0️⃣ and going strong 💪🏻
Maiden IPL Half-Century for Vivrant Sharma 🙌
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/vJfkI6nj57 #TATAIPL | #MIvSRH pic.twitter.com/01VewnWAFq
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2023
– Venkata Krishna B
No way back for Bhuvi
The IPL can often be the short cut to earn your place back in the national squad for senior players. Ajinkya Rahane is the most recent example of this. But one who seems to be slipping more and more away from India contention is Bhuvneshwar Kumar. An integral member of the squad in the last decade, Kumar has gradually disappeared from the national scheme of things. First, he was overlooked from the Test squad and after the last T20 World Cup, Kumar has been omitted across all formats and found his name missing in BCCI central contracts released recently. With injury concerns mounting for India ahead of World Cup, a good outing in the IPL would have brought him back into contention. He scalped Ishan Kishan today, but Kumar hasn’t been able to recreate the magic of yesteryears and despite a five wicket haul has had only 15 wickets this season.
– Venkata Krishna B
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