Mumbai Indians’ (MI) head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, has expressed his concerns about the team’s performance during the powerplay phase, both with the bat and the ball. After MI lost by 12 runs to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday, this marked their fourth defeat in five matches in IPL 2025. Jayawardene emphasized the need for the team to be “ruthless” and maintain discipline to turn things around.
Powerplay Woes: Batting and Bowling Issues
Jayawardene acknowledged that MI’s issues in the powerplay are evident in both batting and bowling. Despite taking an early wicket in the first over, MI struggled to maintain control as RCB counter-attacked. “We just did not react well,” Jayawardene said after the game. MI’s bowling, in particular, has been costly, with an economy rate of 10.36 in the first six overs—making them the most expensive bowling unit this season.
Batting Failures in the Powerplay
MI’s batting also failed to give them a solid start. Despite a good beginning, they lost two wickets early on in the chase, ending the powerplay with a score of 54 for 2. Jayawardene pointed out the loss of momentum as the key factor, saying, “We had to consolidate a little bit and lost a bit of momentum.”
Challenges in Consistency and Discipline
While MI has only one win in five matches, Jayawardene believes the team is playing good cricket. He defended the team’s senior players, saying they have the skill and experience needed. However, he noted that the team needs to be more disciplined and ruthless in key moments. “We need to be a bit more ruthless, especially in those one or two overs where we lose discipline,” he said.
Jayawardene Remains Confident in the Team
Despite their struggles, Jayawardene remains confident in his team. He rejected the idea of making changes, focusing instead on the need for improvement in execution. He stressed the importance of experience, especially in tough situations, and emphasized that the team would stay positive and focus on improving in the next match.
Late Fightback Shows MI’s Potential
Hardik and Tilak Spark a Late Fightback
In their chase of 222, MI seemed out of contention at 99 for 4 after 12 overs, with their chances of winning at just 2.26%. However, a brilliant partnership between captain Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma nearly turned the game around. Hardik’s explosive hitting—two sixes and two fours off Josh Hazlewood—gave the team a glimmer of hope. The pair added 89 runs in just 34 balls, but MI ultimately fell short of the target.
Jayawardene Reflects on the Late Push
Jayawardene was proud of the team’s late resurgence. He praised the efforts of Hardik and Tilak for shifting momentum. “Once you hit that 10th-12th over mark, we knew we could give ourselves a chance,” he explained. “Hardik delivered what we asked, and Tilak joined in.” Despite the fightback, MI couldn’t finish the job, but Jayawardene remains optimistic about the team’s potential.
Rohit Sharma’s Form and Jayawardene’s Support
Coach Defends Rohit Sharma Amidst Struggles
Rohit Sharma’s form has been under scrutiny after another low score. He was dismissed for just 17 runs from nine balls. However, Jayawardene dismissed concerns about his form, explaining that dismissals by left-arm bowlers are a natural occurrence for right-handed batsmen. “Rohit has been working on it and is an experienced player,” he said, showing confidence in his captain’s abilities.
Rohit’s Struggles in the Powerplay
Rohit has been dismissed 22 times during the powerplay since IPL 2023, more than any other player. Despite a lower average in the first six overs, Jayawardene believes Rohit has been trying to play more aggressively, which was evident in his shots against Dayal. “It was a good ball from Dayal, and sometimes you have to give credit to the bowler,” Jayawardene said. He reassured that Rohit would continue to work on improving his game.
