IPL 2018: Shane Bond Rues Three Bad Overs for Mumbai's Loss

The reigning champions, Mumbai Indians bowling coach, Shane Bond believes three bad overs cost their team the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Bond added the Virat Kohli-led team was able to get 10-15 more than the par score.

RCB’s skipper, Virat Kohli also believed the JP Duminy over in which Manan Vohra was able to gather 22 runs was the turning point in the match.

Tim Southee, on the other hand, says the last over in which Colin de Grandhomme smashed his national teammate Mitchell McClenaghan was imperative.

We have seen in the past that the complexion of a T20 game can change in a matter of overs, and RCB vs MI match was just another example of the unpredictability of the shortest form.

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Shane Bond said in the post-match conference,

“We gave 15 runs above what we would have liked. Whereas we bowled well for 17 overs, we bowled three overs which were terrible basically, which cost us probably 60-65 runs. That was always going to make it difficult. I think 155 or anything under 160 would have been good for us. But 170 or 165 was always going to be difficult for a run chase”.

The former Kiwi fast bowler added it was Deja Vu feeling once again. In the past, we have noticed the Mumbai Indians bowlers haven’t kept their nerves in the final stages which have cost them matches in this season, and the result didn’t change this time around too.

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“It is a sense of déjà vu. It has happened in the past that we’ve had 17 good overs and three bad overs that have cost us games. So that’s the most difficult thing. You expect to go for runs, the quality of players, the size of the grounds but overs that go for 20-plus or 25 cost you the game, and that happened to us today,” Bond added.

There is also a debate that Rohit Sharma should bat up the order for the defending champions. However, Bond believes the number four position is ideal for the Mumbai skipper, as he had won them games while batting at the same place.

“If you look at the success of the team and the times you have won titles, he has always batted at No. 4. So at the end of the day, he has batted at No 4 and won games for us. There’s always been a debate about where Rohit should bat. History would suggest No. 4 is the best place he should bat at. Today he got a beauty of a delivery,” added Bond who was known for clocking 150 km/h in his prime.

As of now, it is going to be a difficult road ahead for the Mumbai Indians, as they will have to win their remaining six matches to keep their playoffs hopes alive. Bond believes the team will have to be at the top of their game now.

“We’ve lost six games now. Obviously, we are very disappointed with the way we are going. We have six games left that we have to win. We need to win six games in a row and hope for the best results. I believe we have got players who are capable of winning tournaments for us,” added Bond whose career was cut short by injuries.

Mumbai Indians haven’t able to win the crucial stages in their six defeats, and that has cost them big. The defending champions are staring at the exit gates at the half-way stage of the league matches. Mumbai Indians will now lock horns with Kings XI Punjab on May 4.

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