Krishnamachari Srikkanth
Krishnamachari Srikkanth (Credit- PTI)

Former Indian captain, Krishnamachari Srikkanth feels that the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI) start as favourites in Qualifier 1 against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Thursday.

Delhi Capitals secured the second spot in the points table after defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 wickets and booked the Qualifier against Mumbai. However, the Capitals before their victory over Bangalore lost four games in a row and have plenty of flaws to cover.

DC, MI
Image Credit: IPL

Mumbai possesses the best balance: Krishnamachari Srikkanth

In his column for the Times of India, Krishnamachari Srikkanth has opined that the Mumbai Indians have the best balance and deservedly topped the points table. He believes that MI start the qualifier as firm favourites according to their league stage performance.

The former opener heaped praises for the depth of the Mumbai batting line-up where the top-order is in good form and then finishers like Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya have the demolishing abilities.

For the Times of India,  Krishnamachari Srikkanth writes, “The top four were identified after much suspense and drama. The unit that possessed the best balance took their spot rightfully at the top. If results in the league stage are an indicator, Mumbai will start the first qualifier as firm favourites.

“What sets the defending champions apart is their ability to demolish attacks from any situation or phase in the game. Imagine a top-order that is functioning smoothly and big guns like Pollard and Hardik coming in at six and seven. No opponent can take it easy at any point; such is the depth and strength of Mumbai’s batting.”

Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians. (Credits: Twitter)

MI rested their three key players – Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Hardik Pandya – for the encounter against Hyderabad which they lost by 10 wickets. Srikkanth maintains that when the three players will be back, MI becomes the toughest team to beat. The former chief selector understands that the DC batting has been inconsistent and has relied heavily on Shikhar Dhawan. The 60-year-old writes that Delhi are going to need some special individual performances if they are to upset Mumbai.

“The team should be back in full strength against Delhi. In Bumrah and Boult, the new ball department is in very safe hands. The spinners have been par and add their athletic fielding, Mumbai becomes the toughest team to beat: man-to-man,” Krishnamachari Srikkanth added.

“Delhi, on the other hand, have been blowing hot and cold. For a team that dominated the first half of the league, the wheels did come off a bit. The over-reliance on Dhawan at the top and the lack of stability if and when skipper Shreyas fails have become too difficult to mask.

“For Delhi to upstage Mumbai this night, they are going to be hoping for distinctive individual performances relatively than attempting to match their opponents one-to-one,” Krishnamachari Srikkanth added.

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