Three changes Mumbai need to do to win against Kolkata
Mumbai (image source: BCCI)
Mumbai are the most successful team in the history of the Indian T20 League. They have won the title 5 times, the most by any team. But in the 15th edition of the tournament, they have started the journey with two defeats in their first two matches. Although, Mumbai has the reputation of being slow starters, they will need to tweak their strategy to return to winning ways from the next match.
Mumbai are due to face Kolkata in their next match at the MCA Stadium in Pune. These are the changes that Mumbai should look to make in their team in order to be victorious against the men in Purple.
1. Suryakumar Yadav in place of Anmolpreet Singh:
Anmolpreet Singh have appeared in the first two matches for Mumbai. His scores in the two matches are 8 and 5. His failure at an important position like number 3 is hampering the team’s batting efforts. The lack of solidity at the top order is leaving them wanting for a foundation depending on which the lower order can blast at the end and put up a formidable total.
Suryakumar Yadav has recovered from his thumb injury and is good to go for Mumbai. Despite his availability in the last match Mumbai decided to rest him. So, Mumbai needs to include him in the first eleven for the next match. His presence will give the team the much-needed solidity at the top of the order. The fact that he has been a part of the team for past few years means that he is clear about his role in the team. So, one of the first changes they need to make is to add Suryakumar Yadav in place of Anmolpreet Singh.
2. Dewald Brevis for Tim David:
Tim David came into the tournament with the reputation of being a big hitting lower middle-order batter. But in the two matches that he has played for the team, he has scored 12 and 1 run respectively. His strike rate till now in the tournament is 118.18, much lower that what is expected out of him.
Mumbai has Dewald Brevis sitting in the bench for them. In the latest edition of the U19 World Cup, Brevis scored 506 runs at an average of 84.33 and a strike rate of 90.19. It was a 50-over format tournament, in which the strike rate of 90 is more than decent. The records speak of the potential that this young man has. So, instead of backing an out of touch Tim David, Mumbai can go for Dewald Brevis for the next few games.
3. Fabian Allen for Daniel Sams:
In the first two matches for Mumbai, Daniel Sams played as an all-rounder. But in the 8 overs he has bowled so far in the tournament, he has conceded 89 runs without picking up a wicket. So, Sams as a bowling option is proving costly for them. And as far as his batting is concerned, he has scored a 7 not out and a golden duck. So, none of his skills are helping the Mumbai team at present.
For Mumbai, Fabian Allen is warning the bench. In T20I career, he has a strike rate of 136.92 with the bat and an economy rate of 7.44 with the bowl. Allen with his off-spin can be a good supporting partner for Murugan Ashwin. So, Mumbai needs to back Allen for a few matches and see how things go.
