Published: May 30, 2011, 10:51 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 25, 2014, 12:02 PM (IST)
By Dhananjay Devasper
For the second year in a row, the Mumbai Indians have flattered to deceive and floundered at critical moments to exit without a title. For a team that looked to be favourites to win the title, their campaign in the later stages of the tournament was found to be wanting and the Royal Challengers effectively sealed their fate at the penultimate stage of the tournament
While most critics might argue that a semi-final showing is extremely commendable, the Mumbai Indians had put together this team to do one better than last year. Sadly it came all crashing down, and the franchise now needs to take some tough decisions which may be unpopular, but will need to made if the team needs to realize its potential and bring cheer to the millions of Mumbai fans and hopefully win the trophy next year.
Replace Sachin Tendulkar as captain
Sacrilegious as it may seem, but it has to be done. In the past two years, his defensive captaincy at crucial junctures in the tournament, have cost the Mumbai Indians dearly. Last year it was holding back Kieron Pollard in favour of JP Duminy, in the final against Chennai. This year it was electing to field on a Chennai wicket which favoured teams batting first, and handing over the first over to Abu Nechim and thereby the momentum to the Challengers. It’s time to look at a different leader who will take the bull by the horns and not turn away from an obvious decision when the stakes are high. If the brilliance of a player takes the game away from you after that, you salute that effort and move on.
Drop the underperformers
This year has been one where Mumbai Indians were at the top, for most part, largely due to consistent moments of brilliance from Tendulkar the batsman, Ambati Rayudu, Lasith Malinga. However the failure of the big guns like Kieron Pollard, Andrew Symonds, to fire cost them dearly. It’s also time to look at another spinning option since Harbhajan Singh seems to be the least effective frontline spinner in the Indian Premier League and does not justify his retention in the team. It might be worthwhile to spend some money on promising youngsters like Rahul Sharma and Paul Valthaty, than waste oodles on the likes of Harbhajan, Pollard and Symonds.
The Mumbai Indians need to go back to the drawing board and resolve some teething problems before they begin their campaign next year. It all starts with the search of a new leader to infuse new life into the team.
Stay tuned…
(Dhananjay Devasper is an “IT guy” by profession and a sports fanatic at heart. He has an unbridled passion for sports and Indian achievements in sport. Extremely opinionated, he attempts offering perspectives around sports which are simple to understand and easy to relate with)
