Page 48 - The Indian EYE 051322

SPORTS MAY 13, 2022 | The Indian Eye 48

IPL 2022

Dhoni’s return to top, Kohli’s lean patch

and Mumbai Indians finding their form

As the season gets into full flow, we bring to you all the action on and off the field

OUR BUREAU positive outlook” to the entire group.
“It was good to see that we managed
Mumbai
to execute skills and at the same time
hennai Super Kings star finish the game off,” Jayawardene
all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said of game against the Royals. “The
Clast Saturday decided to step bowling was pretty good... with the
down as captain and focus on his bat as well we were able to cross the
game while Mahendra Singh Dhoni line. We had the same opportunities
has accepted to lead the franchise through this season with the ball and
again. “Ravindra Jadeja has decid- the bat too, to try and finish games
ed to relinquish captaincy to focus off, which we were not able to. So, to
and concentrate more on his game get points on the table, cross the line,
and has requested MS Dhoni to lead brings a very positive outlook to the
CSK. MS Dhoni has accepted to lead entire group.”
CSK in the larger interest & to allow “Unfortunately, we had to wait
Jadeja to focus on his game,” reads for another four days before we could
an official statement from CSK. This play another game,” Jayawardene
comes after the worst start of the said. “The focus has been good; we’ve
season by the four-time champions had a couple of good chats. Looking
in the 15th season of the IPL. In 8 forward to the next game, which is a
games, the team has won only two tough one. Probably the in-form best
games and is currently sitting at the team in the competition, and looking
ninth position in the points tally with forward to that.”
four points, just above their arch-ri- Chennai Super Kings Mukesh Choudhary and MS Dhoni celebrate a dismissal (ANI) “We just need to win matches,
vals Mumbai Indians. play some good cricket. It’s all about
Jadeja as well has not been at confidence. As players, as a group it’s
“It doesn’t matter how good a
his best, managing only 112 runs in 8 WARNER TELLS KOHLI TO player you are, you’re always going been tough for us, there’s nothing to
innings with the bat and five wickets ‘STICK TO BASICS’ to have these ebbs and flows. Some- hide,” Jayawardene stated, looking
so far. times the ebb is a long way before ahead at the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, CSK pacer Mukesh ustralian opener and star Del- “We were not satisfied with our
Choudhary after a match has re- hi Capitals batter David War- you get back up there. Stick to the execution; we were not satisfied with
basics,” he added.
vealed what skipper MS Dhoni told Aner has advised Royal Chal- In IPL 2022, the RCB batter has the way we played. But everyone
him during the last over against Sun- lengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Virat scored 186 runs in 10 innings includ- stuck together and worked harder. I
Risers Hyderabad on Sunday. No- Kohli to “stick to the basics” follow- ing two golden ducks. can’t complain about the work ethic
tably, Mukesh Choudhary dropped ing his dearth of runs. of the group. We’ve stayed together
Abhishek Sharma in the powerplay. Kohli has been going through a VICTORY BRINGS ‘VERY and believed in our ability. The rest
He, however, made amends with lean patch and has struggled to score POSITIVE OUTLOOK’ TO MI of the season is going to be the same.
the ball by picking up a four-fer and runs in the ongoing Indian Premier Stick to our processes that we’ve al-
more importantly his wickets right at League (IPL). The former Indian he Mumbai Indians head ways worked on, and make sure we
the edge of powerplay brought CSK skipper did hit a fifty in his last match coach Mahela Jayawardene win matches and go out and enjoy
back into the game. SRH got off to a against Gujarat Titans but he took Tpraised the team for sticking our cricket,” the Sri Lankan pointed.
blazing start, smacking 46 off the first 53 balls to score 58. Warner, who is together in tough times, and added Even though the points have not
4 overs but wickets on successive de- in sensational form, said every play- that the aim for the rest of IPL 2022 come, Mumbai Indians have contin-
liveries (Abhishek Sharma and Ra- er goes through a lean patch and ad- will be to enjoy cricket for the five- ued to uncover fresh talent. Tilak
hul Tripathi) in the 6th over hindered vised Kohli to have a couple of kids time champions. Varma has been spectacular with the
their momentum. and cricket. Mumbai Indians notched their bat and Dewald Brevis has shown
Mukesh Choudhary in the post- “Have a couple more kids and first win of IPL 2022, beating Rajas- a glimpse of enormous potential.
match presentation talking about enjoy love! The form is temporary than Royal by five wickets on April Against the Royals, mystery left-arm
that 6th over said: “A wicket hadn’t and the class is permanent so you 30, and after a season where they spinner Kumar Kartikeya was hand-
fallen yet, so I had to take my chanc- don’t lose that. It happens to every came close to winning several games ed a debut and did exceptionally,
es, I knew I dropped a catch but I had single player in the world,” Warner before earning their first points, head while the young Hrithik Shokeen has
to take a wicket and thankfully that told Sports Yaari founder Sushant coach Mahela Jayawardene stated also continued to be impressive.
happened.” Mehta. that the victory had brought a “very Continued at next page... >>

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