IPL 2021: Dale Steyn Suggests Mumbai Indians To Open With Chris Lynn And Move Rohit Sharma At Number Three

South African speedster Dale Steyn has expressed concerns regarding Mumbai Indians’ line-up despite the defending champions displaying a clinical performance against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday. Mumbai Indians registered a seven-wicket victory against the Rajasthan Royals in Delhi following two consecutive losses. Dale Steyn has suggested the defending champions to shuffle their batting order and believes that Ishan Kishan remains a worry.

Ishan Kishan was instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ fifth title victory last year, hammering 516 runs in 14 matches at 57.33 with four half-centuries. Kishan, who had a memorable T20I debut against England recently, was expected to sizzle this year for the Mumbai Indians. Nevertheless, the left-hander has had a forgettable edition, managing 73 runs in five games at 14.60, maintaining a strike rate of 82.95.

Mumbai Indians, the defending champions, have not maintained the benchmark this year either as they have struggled to adapt to the conditions in Chennai, where they have suffered their three losses. The likes of Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, and Kishan not firing has cost them matches. Their victories in Chennai against Kolkata Knight Riders and SunRisers Hyderabad majorly came due to their top-notch bowling attack.

It just extends their batting a little bit: Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn believes that Mumbai Indians could slot Chris Lynn to open with Quinton De Kock, so they get a fiery start and push Rohit Sharma at number three, followed by Suryakumar Yadav at four. Steyn underlined that Ishan Kishan’s form is a cause for worry since he has not shown the same form as last year despite a significant number of opportunities. The 37-year old feels that playing Lynn remains an option since Mumbai has stuck to three overseas players for some of the matches and it extends the batting line-up. The veteran thinks that the move would be significant, given Hardik Pandya’s and Kieron Pollard’s struggles.

“I like Rohit as an opening batter but you could throw a real spanner in the works by opening with QDK (Quinton de Kock) and Chris Lynn and push Rohit at 3 and SKY (Suryakumar Yadav) at 4. It (Ishan Kishan’s form) is a cause of worry. They have played some games now, they have given him the opportunity to get going, he hasn’t shown the same form as last year. And there’s an option because they have only been playing three overseas pros for the last couple of games. It just extends their batting a little bit. We have seen them struggle in their middle order with Hardik, Krunal and Kieron. Kieron has done OK but Hardik hasn’t just pitched up yet,” Steyn told ESPN Cricinfo.

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