Mumbai Indians' goal ahead is to win over table-toppers, Gujarat Titans
The goal ahead for Mumbai Indians is rather clear - win all their remaining five matches to have any hopes of qualification to the playoffs. But Mahela Jayawardene isn't looking as far ahead. Despite winning the previous game, where both the batting and bowling came good, it is amply clear that the five-time champions haven't found a formula or even a set template. And the first threat to their qualification chances comes from the in-form, table-toppers, Gujarat Titans.
Even as their five-match winning streak came to a halt in the previous game, the Mumbai Indians head coach concedes that the Hardik Pandya-led side have shown the temperament that his side has lacked this season, among other concerns facing them. "You've seen them winning three-four games at least, from positions where they've been outplayed by individual brilliance, finishing games off by Miller or Tewatia or Rashid. That's what the season requires. We haven't had that spark that we're used to having."
It's as honest a confession for a team that has underperformed but is hoping to find the lost touch in the more familiar conditions of the Wankhede Stadium, where they registered their previous win. Unfortunately, there will be no momentum to carry from the success in the previous game, which came four days ago. What they do have to their luck though, is Gujarat's momentum too, if not the spark, has taken a bit of a minor hit.
