IPL 2020: Restrict Mumbai Indians To 160 - Gautam Gambhir Reveals Gameplan To Defeat Mumbai Indians

Former India cricketer, Gautam Gambhir believes that the only way to defeat Mumbai Indians is to restrict them to a par score of under 160. Gambhir also heaped high praise for the MI batting order.

Mumbai Indians stormed into their second consecutive and sixth overall IPL final after they hammered Delhi Capitals by 57 runs. Mumbai has been the most complete and dominant team in the tournament and will start as favourites in the final on Tuesday against either Delhi or Hyderabad.

That’s why Mumbai is where it is right now: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir talking to ESPNCricinfo lavished praise for the batting line-up of the Mumbai Indians, in particular for Suryakumar Yadav, who played under him in Kolkata. The former KKR skipper said that Yadav has been brilliant in anchoring the innings and scoring runs at a good rate as well. He said that the right-hander hurts the opposition as he holds one end and bats at a strike rate in excess of 135.

The cricketer-turned-commentator then spoke about MI lower middle-order where Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, and the Pandya brothers are capable of decimating any bowling attack. He hailed the MI batting order for the strong position they are in before the final.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Gautam Gambhir said, “You keep talking about someone anchoring the innings and scoring at a good strike rate. Suryakumar Yadav anchors the innings and scores at 130, 135-plus strike rate, which is a great plus for Mumbai Indians. He’s someone who can play through the innings and hurt the opposition.

“Then you know that you have the firepower of Kieron Pollard, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, all these guys can hurt you in the end overs – and you’re No. 3 who is supposed to bat long. What more do you want from your batting line up. I guess that’s why Mumbai is where it is right now.”

Gambhir suggested a way to stop the Mumbai juggernaut. The two-time IPL winning captain feels that the only way to defeat MI is to restrict their score to around 150-160. Otherwise, if they score above 180, it becomes very difficult for the opposition to win the game considering MI’s bowling attack.

The 39-year-old believes that apart from an individual brilliance like Ben Stokes’ hundred, it is close to impossible to chase 190 against the bowling attack of Mumbai.

“Unless and until you don’t restrict Mumbai Indians to 150-160, you have the bowling to defend that. The moment they get to 180, it’s very difficult for any opposition to compete, let alone win. Apart from Ben Stokes’ brilliance, I don’t think any team can chase down 190-plus,” Gautam Gambhir further stated.

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