Mumbai Indians are proud five-time champions of the IPL. But they also own the ignominious record of losing their season opener in 11 consecutive seasons. And that is “frustrating”, says bowling coach Shane Bond.
Sunday’s five-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore was the latest addition to Mumbai’s inglorious record at the start of the season. The last time they won their opening game was in 2012, when they beat Chennai Super Kings.
“This is my ninth season (at MI) and we haven’t won our opening game. So it’s getting frustrating. At the end of the day, it’s a tough competition. It’s always better to have more wins than losses. It’s a tough way to start,” Bond said after the game.
Mumbai’s top order misfired against Bangalore and Bond credited Mohammed Siraj from the rival camp for that. “Siraj was too good for us. First three overs, he didn’t give away any width. He used his bouncers beautifully. He gave us nothing to hit,” Bond said.
Tilak Varma’s 84 off 46 balls helped Mumbai to a respectable score. “Tilak played brilliantly, but he didn’t get much help. We were 29 for 1 in the Powerplay on a good wicket, small ground. I think 170 on a really small ground was not a good total. I think 190 could have been a par total,” said the former New Zealand pacer.
Written with inputs from PTI
RCB wait on Topley injury fallout
Bangalore: Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered another injury blow as pacer Reece Topley dislocated his right shoulder while fielding during the match against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
Head coach Mike Hesson said the Englishman’s injury status will be known after the scan results come in.
“Unfortunately his knee dug into the ground and he landed on his shoulder and dislocated it. It was lucky enough (for us) that the doctors were able to pop it back in,” Hesson told RCB’s YouTube channel after the 8-wicket win over the five-time champions, in their first game this season.
“We hope that the initial reports come back nicely and Reece can join us. (But) if not then we will have to see what happens.”
If sidelined for a longer duration, Topley will join the likes of right-handed batter Rajat Patidar (heel injury) and Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood on the bench.
PTI
