IPL 2021: Mumbai Indians can't afford a slow start anymore, says Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes that defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) cannot afford to get off to a slow start, in the second half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season. However, Gambhir also believes that a slow start is less likely considering the conditions in the UAE that are likely to suit the fast bowlers, unlike grounds in India which witness low and slow pitches. MI will take on three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their opening encounter of the second half of IPL 2021. The clash will take place at the Dubai International Stadium on September 19.

“Mumbai Indians will have an advantage”

“They’ve played in conditions that are completely different to where they normally play in. When you see the conditions in Chepauk or Delhi, they are completely different from what you get at Wankhede. And, as I mentioned, they are going into conditions that are suited to their fast bowling – people like Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult,” said Gambhir on Star Sports’ show Game Plan as quoted by India Today.

“There will be swing upfront, so they will be very dangerous. Plus, Mumbai wants balls to swing and you’ve got quality fast bowlers and it’s going to be an advantage for them. Plus their batters, want the balls to come on to the bat as well, people like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, all those guys struggled at Chepauk, because it was gripping and turning,” he added.

“They are not going to struggle, once they start playing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. So, that’s the reason why I would feel Mumbai Indians will have an advantage; they can’t afford slow starter anymore, because they have seven games to go and they might have to win 5 matches to qualify, so they can’t afford to be in that situation, where they have to win five out of five,” concluded Gambhir.

Rajasthan Royals spinners eager to make their presence felt in UAE leg

Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinners Shreyas Gopal and KC Cariappa are backing themselves to deliver a stellar performance in the second half of IPL 2021.

“I think there are two ways of looking at the break in the IPL season. For people who weren’t doing all that well including myself, I think it was a chance to put on the thinking cap and see what modifications and improvements could be made. Whereas, for people who had been doing well, the first two teams in the table for that instance, it puts a break on them and they’ll now have to restart, so puts everyone on level pegging. I think it’s more about the kind of mind space I’ve been in – the way I’m bowling, batting, fielding, and also how I’m feeling. I want to keep my work ethic high, but also realize that it’s going to be a long season with bubble life again, so I want to be present in the now, and remain simple with my process,” said Shreyas as quoted by RR’s official website.

“We played last year around the same time, so we have been witness to the conditions at all three places. We know the strengths in terms of length of the boundaries, etc. And as the tournament progresses, the pitches get a bit slower and are good batting wickets at the start. So we’ll be backing ourselves to do really well in these conditions and execute our plans,” he added.

“I’ve been waiting for a big opportunity for a long time”

Cariappa has termed the upcoming season as one of the most crucial of his life, expressing a desire to utilise the opportunities in the best way possible.

“I have been training really consistently during the off season, and it (the upcoming season) is very important because I’ve been waiting for a big opportunity for a long time, and every year I’ve been getting only a few matches, and sometimes they go well, sometimes they go bad. But if I get an opportunity again, I just want to do well and, in my head, I tell myself that I should be in the Indian team – I feel every cricketer aspires to play for his country and so do I,” he stated.