IPL 2021: Familiar UAE Conditions Could Favor Mumbai Indians, Feels Gautam Gambhir
Former Indian player Gautam Gambhir has opined that the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI)have a great opportunity to finish in the top-two of the league phase when the IPL 2021 resumes in the UAE. Rohit Sharma and co. won the IPL 2020 trophy which was held in the UAE.
Going into the second leg of the league, almost all the teams have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. The momentum factor for the top three would have reset and they will have to restart from where they left off. As for the lower half, they will have to rejig their approach when the season restarts.
Gambhir was of the opinion that the MI squad is in a prime position to stitch a few wins together. The five-time champions will begin the second phase with a match against strong rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on September 19, Sunday.
“See again, Mumbai probably will be having that advantage, because first they’ve won it last time in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in UAE, well and they’re going back to the same place and they’re in a position where they can actually finish in the top two as well,” Gambhir was quoted as saying on Star Sports network.
The covid break gives MI an advantage – Gautam Gambhir
Mathematically, all the teams can make it to the playoffs but Gambhir felt that the poor run of form for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has pretty much eliminated them from the competition. But fourth-placed MI on the other hand gets a chance to restart.
“If you look at other franchises especially franchises like KKR or for that matter even Sunrisers (SRH), it’s pretty difficult for them to qualify or for that matter even Punjab Kings. But if you ask me one franchise who’s going to have an advantage with this break, is Mumbai Indians,” he added.
A sixth title is up for grabs for the Mumbai franchise and they need to start well.
