IPL 2018: Performances of Suryakumar Yadav and Markande Has been the Biggest Positives for Mumbai - Viv Richards

Former Windies legend, Sir Vivian Richards, has stated the contributions of the youngsters across the Indian Premier League have been very crucial to their team’s chances in the tournament.

He further added in the spinner, Mayank Markande, Mumbai Indians have found their elixir. However, despite his impressive performances in the tournament, Mumbai find themselves at the bottom of the points table with just a solitary win from six games.

Richards in his column for the Times of India wrote the performances of Suryakumar Yadav and Markande had been the biggest positives for Mumbai despite their horrendous run in the tournament so far.

“Contributions from young blood have been an important aspect in every team’s performance this season and the editions before,” he wrote. “Having said that, Mumbai have found an elixir with Mayank Markande, who has been outstanding with the ball just as Suryakumar Yadav has been with the bat, despite results not going the way of their team.”

Ankit Rajpoot has been a find for the Kings XI Punjab. He bagged a sensational five-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Richards was pleased with his performance. He further hailed the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack for pulling off two sensational victories by defending pretty low totals despite the absence of their premier pacer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

“It was a pleasure to watch the way Punjab’s Ankit Rajpoot bowled against the Sunrisers, picking up the first five-for of the season. But again, Hyderabad’s bowling led by the sensation named Rashid Khan and a certain Siddarth Kaul, was something different. Remember, SRH has now won two low scoring games with their star pick Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the bench,” he wrote.

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Mumbai face Chennai in the return leg today

The Mumbai Indians faces Chennai Super Kings in the return leg of the tournament. Despite the points table and the situation of both teams, Richards feels it will be a close contest. These were the two teams who kickstarted the tournament. A heroic knock from Dwayne Bravo had then helped Chennai register a brilliant come from behind victory.

“It will be yet another classic battle when the league leaders Chennai take on Mumbai, who have not been at their best this season. Looking at the depth of both the squads on paper, it’s tough to pick a winner. MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma are great captains and they, as everyone knows, can turn the whole complexion of the league around in a few games with their team.”

“The eleventh edition of the IPL started with the same teams clashing in Mumbai and it went down to the wire with Chennai managing to sneak past the hosts with a ball to spare. That match was again a reminder to the world that the game of cricket is for the ones who are brave enough to take their chances. Neither Dhoni nor Rohit would have foreseen the current situation their teams are in, especially, the results Mumbai have had. It will be interesting to watch what strategies Mumbai look to adapt to, as they walk into must-win games from here ons, starting with Chennai tonight,” he wrote.’

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