1. Sachin Tendulkar: The captain was badly missed for the first few games with Bhajji's captaincy appearing a bit rudderless until the old man from South Africa took over! Sachins return, as expected has acted as a catalyst and has brought the best in his fellow team mates, especially his opening partner Jayasuriya. Sachin has looked flawless in his captaincy, making astute bowling and fielding changes and invoking confidence in the youngsters around. His batting is still to flourish, and it would do the team a world of good if he starts firing towards the business end of the tourney! (6/10)
2. Sanath Jayasuriya: Started with a string of poor scores, looked a bit out of place in the T20 format of the game, but has since found his feet and how well at that! With Sachin at the non-strikers end, he could perhaps be his normal self and go around carting the bowlers all over the park which is exactly what he has done. The sheer impetus that a 'Jayasuriya' can provide you at the top of the innings with his short-arm jabs is unmatched as of now in the IPL.
A utility bowler too, he can be used to stifle the momentum of the innings. (7.5/10)
3. Robin Uthappa: Uthappa, the most experienced and popular of the young lot, shoulders the burden of the middle-order. Has been fairly successful to carry the momentum of the innings in the middle overs and make the youngsters play around him in a few occasions. Is due for a big score himself though. With Bravo off to the caribbean, he needs to fire bigtime! (5/10)
4. Dominic Thornely: Injured his eye in the first game, missed the next three, has been wonderfully effective since then! Thats the story of the IPL for Dominic Thornely, an astute buy whoever decided to bid for him. A player neither too great with the bat or the ball, but does the job expected out of him. His presence in the middle order should come as a releif to the likes of Uthappa and Nayar. Needs to carry on the form and instill his aussie spirit in the team. (7/10)
5. Dwayne Bravo: The injury to Lasith Malinga was what prompted Sachin to quickly make a move for Bravo and it were Harsha Bhogle's PR skills that got him to Mumbai! It was Bravo's match-winning innings against the KKR that fetched his team the first win of the tourney. A typical calypso bat, coupled with the ability to take a few wickets made him an important cog in the team. His absence will definitely hurt, with doubts being raised if Andre Nel (his replacement) can fit into his boots. (7.5/10)
6.Abhishek Nayar: The 'find' of the tournament for Mumbai and eventually for India, as my friend Tapan puts it, he has been a revelation! Brilliantly fitted in in the role of the pinch-hitter in the final overs, this guy can also play the waiting game before pushing on if the team falters and loses quick wickets upfront. A brilliant team player along with a useful bowler on slow pitches makes him an integral component of the team. (6.5/10)
7. Yogesh Takawale: Takawale came into the team a bit late after the experiment to play Luke Ronchi as a w/k failed. Called upon to perform the twin duties of keeping wickets and opening the batting with Jayasuriya he immediately adjusted in his role and gave the team a few decent starts. Relegated to his original No.7 position in the batting order with Tendulkars arrival, he gives the team the much needed depth and striking prowess. (5/10)
8. Shawnn Pollock: It took a hat-trick of defeats and a suspended captain in Harbhajan for a brilliant Shawnn Pollock to step up and stem the tide of defeats for the Indians. Pollock not only got the best out of his men on the field, but also managed to keep the media wolves at bay with his consistent wit and sarcasm. His splendid line and length kept getting better with every game and gave him the double bonus of wickets and the second best run rate in the IPL (Mcgrath being the best). He has undoubtedly been the best performer for the MI's till date and they would want this old war-horse to keep shining! (8.5/10)
9. Rohan Raje: Another of the youth players who has put his hand up and contributed to the teams cause. A guy, who was trembling with the ball in his hand during the first game at Wankhede has grown both in stature and confidence thanks to the time invested on him by Sachin and Pollock.The bowl he castled Laxmi Ratan Shukla wud have done his confidence a world of good. Rohan Raje looks a brilliant prospect for the Mumbai Ranji side atleast if not for the Indian team! (6.5/10)
10. Dhawal Kulkarni: One of the stock bowlers for the team in the initial games, this inexperienced lad did well to bowl a nice attacking line and length, getting wickets per game for his captain. He was always a bit expensive though which perhaps cost him his place in the side eventually along with a groin injury. Will surely be required to make a comeback if the team needs him and is a good prospect to have on the bench. (4.5/10)
11. Ashish Nehra: Eyebrows were raised everywhere when the team management decided to get Ashish Nehra, a man flung into wilderness by the selectors from a long time. He has not only reposed the faith laid in him by the management, but has responded excellently and has turned out to be a wonderful foil for his new ball partner Pollock. Bowling alongside his captain has helped him a lot and could be the first step in getting his flagging career back on track!Needs to guard against his old enemy, inconsistency. A lot depends on the new ball pair of Pollock and Nehra if the MI's have to go a long way into the tournament. (7/10)
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2 comments:
barda u lost ur bet.. mumbai couldn't make it to semis.. u owe me one piqutcher of beer at sports bar, mumbai.. with mixed emotions... cheers man..
hahah...done!
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