Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) victory over Mumbai Indians (MI), five-time IPL champions, former South African batsman Faf du Plessis emphasized the need for MI to resolve their bowling problems beyond the four overs bowled by pacer Jasprit Bumrah. He highlighted the importance of deploying Bumrah at critical moments to maximize his effectiveness.
RCB posted a commanding total of 240 for 4, propelled by half-centuries from Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and captain Rajat Patidar. Despite an impactful unbeaten 71 from MI’s Kieron Pollard off just 31 balls, which included one four and nine sixes, MI fell short by 18 runs, finishing at 222 for 5.
Bumrah’s wicketless streak, extending back to last season’s qualifier two, continued as MI’s bowling attack struggled to contain RCB’s top order and middle order. The pacer has now gone five matches and 122 deliveries in the IPL without a wicket, marking his longest wicketless spell in the tournament.
MI currently occupy eighth place on the points table with one victory from four matches. Bumrah’s lack of wickets has been a significant factor in the team’s recent performances.
Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, du Plessis stressed the necessity for Mumbai Indians to evaluate their overall bowling strategy, especially during the powerplay. He said: “When you look at that bowling attack, especially in high-scoring games of 250 or more, you have to assess what the rest of the attack is conceding beyond Bumrah’s four overs, which are usually very economical. That’s where the Mumbai Indians need to find answers. They need to maximize Bumrah’s impact by using him at key stages, but it doesn’t get any easier with strong batting line-ups continuing to dominate. They will need to sit down and reassess their approach, particularly in the Powerplay, whether that involves tactical changes or bringing in different personnel.”
On Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive innings, du Plessis remarked: “This performance does not come as a surprise. He has delivered consistently across T20 leagues and has significantly improved his game. Earlier, he had some struggles in certain match-ups, but he has worked on those areas and is now much more assured.” Since the start of last year, Rutherford has been among the top T20 batters globally, scoring 1,982 runs in 87 innings at an average of 30.49 and a strike rate of 153.28, including seven fifties and a best score of 86.
JioStar expert Sunil Gavaskar also commented on Mumbai’s batting, noting that the side went into a defensive mode after Rohit Sharma retired hurt, with quick dismissals of Ryan Rickelton and Tilak Verma compounding their difficulties. He observed: “At one stage, it looked like the Mumbai Indians would struggle to reach 200. After Rohit Sharma’s retirement and the dismissals of Rickelton and Tilak Varma in the same over, they went into a shell and were unable to break free. They needed to score at least 12 runs more to stay on track with the required rate, but they could not manage that. Even while on a rotating strike, the required rate kept climbing. As Hardik Pandya mentioned, both their batting and bowling Powerplays are not yielding the kind of results needed to take control of the game.”
Gavaskar also praised RCB captain Rajat Patidar, highlighting the impact of last season’s title on his confidence. He said: “Last year, leading RCB for the first time, Rajat Patidar may have had some nerves, especially with players like Virat Kohli in the side. That could have impacted him. This season, after winning the championship, he looks far more settled and confident. He is playing with complete freedom and producing some outstanding cricket. The range of shots he is displaying across the ground has been particularly impressive.”
Patidar has faced 59 balls against spin this season, scoring 129 runs at a strike rate of 218.94 with nine fours and 11 sixes, being dismissed twice. Against pace bowling, he has made 66 runs from 32 balls, at a strike rate of 206.25, including two fours and seven sixes, dismissed once. Patidar is the joint-highest six-hitter this season alongside Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with 18 sixes, and is the second-highest run-scorer with 195 runs from four innings at an average of 65.00 and a strike rate of 214.28, including two half-centuries.
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