MI coach Shane Bond credits bowlers for hard-fought success; lauds highly-talented DC squad

The Mumbai Indians have shed the tag of slow starters in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League with splendid performances against the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

They were not always ahead in those two games but bowlers bowled exceedingly well in the middle overs and the Mumbai Indians team ‘scrapped’ hard to win those close games.

The team is not looking forward to giving up on that tactics ahead of the clash against the Delhi Capitals.

“We have got to get out there and scrap and fight for everything. That’s why we have won two of the games and taken the other one down to the last ball. It’s because we have done that. And, we are going to have to do that again tomorrow,” Mumbai’s bowling coach Shane Bond said in the video shared by the franchise on its Twitter timeline.

“We know that the wicket here is tricky, but we have got experience on it. So, hopefully, that will hold us in good stead in what will be another good game.” 

Speaking highly of the Capitals side, Bond commenced the side as a very talented one who has made another impressive start in this season. He added the Mumbai have been able to come stronger against them in the recent past and that the match-ups between the two sides have also been enthralling.

“They are a team that’s highly talented last year, and played outstanding cricket and started the season well again, particularly with the bat. I think they were all particularly close games last year. We probably played some of our best cricket against Delhi. They certainly deserved their place in the final and have started the season strongly again and have a really well-balanced team. We take a lot of confidence. We know we are a team that match up very well against them,” Bond added.

Bond lauded his bowling attack for coming back stronger and stronger after early onslaughts by the batting teams in the last two games. He said that spinners are being successful in tightening their grips on the match while the likes of Bumrah and Boult are not allowing teams to get away with too many run sat the back end of the innings.

"We are always well planned and we have attacked their players in different ways and we will do the same. In the last couple of games, the teams have got a good start against us, our spinners have done a brilliant job in the middle. Teams are scoring 20-25 runs of the last five overs which is a real credit to our bowlers. They are really clear about what they want to do," Bond further said.

The Delhi Capitals have travelled to Chennai after playing their first three games in Mumbai while the Mumbai Indians have stayed in Chennai for some more time after their three games. 

The contest between the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals will pit Rohit Sharma, the most successful captain in IPL against Rishabh Pant, who is just starting to grow as a leader of the pack in the Capitals squad.