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A star-studded Mumbai Indians (MI) will be aiming to overcome their five-year IPL trophy drought when they begin their IPL-19 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on home turf, at the Wankhede Stadium this evening. And MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene reckoned that the presence of India’s two T20 World Cup-winning captains — Rohit Sharma (2024) and Suryakumar Yadav (2026) — in the team will be a big plus for skipper Hardik Pandya.
The Pandya-led five-time champions, who won their last IPL title in 2020, appear extremely strong on paper with bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ready to steam in for this fixture.
Mahela Jayawardene
Experience counts
“We are very proud of the core group that we’ve built over many years. And the contribution that Ro [Rohit] brings in, what Surya brings in and every other cricketer brings in, it’s massive and Hardik is enjoying that. He’s [Pandya] quite open to getting those ideas and getting that help out there. Especially with him being an all-rounder, because he’s been bowling and doing stuff as well. So, he needs that help on the field. Having them [Rohit and Suryakumar] on the field, it’s a massive, massive plus. Not just on the field, but off the field as well,” Jayawardene said at the pre-match press conference on Saturday.
Interestingly, MI, who finished third in IPL-18 after losing to runners-up Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings in Qualifier Two, have something to worry about. Since their first IPL title in 2013, they are yet to win their opening match. Jayawardene is well aware of this.
“I have spoken to the boys about the intensity they should have for that first game. I think that’s all we can control. Hopefully we can break that [jinx],” said Jayawardene.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane
Meanwhile, KKR assistant coach Shane Watson, who was adjudged Player of the Tournament when he helped Rajasthan Royals win the inaugural IPL in 2008, admitted that it’s tough to beat MI at Wankhede.
Hard to beat MI: Watson
“Let’s hope that the shocking record which MI have in the first game continues. Obviously, we’re playing here at Wankhede Stadium, it’s a fortress, MI are very hard to beat here,” Watson said.
Mumbai veteran Ajinkya Rahane, leading KKR though, will be a huge plus for the visitors as he knows the Wankhede conditions better than home team skipper Pandya.
29
No. of matches Hardik Pandya has led MI in — 13 wins and 16 losses
1083
No. of runs scored by Rohit Sharma in 35 matches against KKR — the most by any player against them
10-2
MI’s win-loss record against KKR at the Wankhede Stadium
5-10
MI pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s career-best T20 figures, achieved against KKR at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, in 2022
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