Mumbai Indians registered a 57-run win against Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Suryakumar Yadav’s scintillating knock of 79*(47) led the way for MI’s fifth consecutive total above 190, which is also a record in IPL history. After that, it was the bowlers who displayed a sensational effort with the fast-bowling trio picking eight wickets between themselves.

Shane Bond addressed the media at the post-match press conference. The bowling coach shared his thoughts about Bumrah’s stint with the new ball, Suryakumar Yadav’s knock and their plans for the Rajasthan Royals batsmen.

James Pattinson has generally taken the new ball this season, what was the idea behind Jasprit Bumrah opening the bowling with Boult in this game?

Bond: “There were a combination of things. I think you like to throw some different balls to the opposition. Jasprit genuinely wanted to take the new ball. So, there was a discussion that went on. We have obviously used him in a defensive way in the backend of the powerplay. You had a fresh wicket with a little bit of grass on it. He’s got the ability to nip the ball around. We knew that Rajasthan’s key players were on top of the order. We wanted to give him the opportunity to get out there, take the new ball and try to get some wickets for us. And today he was sensational.”

That six off Archer by Suryakumar Yadav after he was hit on the head. Was it the best shot you would say he has played in T20 cricket. And your thoughts on his batting in general?

Bond: “Some of the shot-making today from him I think, the sweep from about seventh stump on a low full-toss that went 80 metres. I don’t know what you call that shot, it was unbelievable. Surya has been frustrated that he is hitting the ball so well and he has been for the whole camp. It just wasn’t kicking on. Today we saw his talent in full display, so I think he’s a sensational player. Comes in, scores quickly and scores all over the ground. Fast bowling or spin bowling, either way he’s a fantastic player and a key member for our team. Our boys were talking about him in the dressing room over dinner. Some of the shots that he played were as good as anything you’ll ever see.”

The pace bowling unit that you have has definitely come in with a well laid plan against the Rajasthan Royals’ batsmen. What was the pre-game preparation and talk especially for someone like Steve Smith and Sanju Samson?

Bond: “We do a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure we are really familiar with all opposition. We knew how dangerous Jos Buttler is and he has got runs against us. I think we bowled very straight to him. The powerplay in particular, we were excellent. Against Steve Smith, we tried to block that scoring zone on the leg side and force him to hit over the off-side but he still went on anyway, so we got his wicket. And Sanju, we wanted to use the short ball. We wanted him to play square of the wicket early and Trent Boult did a fantastic job. We knew the top four in particular were extremely dangerous. But we did a brilliant job. There’s always a few flutters when Jos is at the crease but the guys have generally bowled him brilliantly well today. To come out on a very good wicket and win by 57 runs, it’s a great effort by the lads.”

A good turnaround for Mumbai Indians in the UAE considering the record from 2014 when MI were not able to win a game. What has the team done this time around to apply themselves better, and add some good memories in UAE?

Bond: “We have a whole lot of fresh faces here. There are only a couple of guys who are here from that time. It has got no significance really 5-6 years later anyway so I think I look at our team and we are as good as any team in the competition. We got firepower across the board. If we turn up and play the style that we want to, if we execute the stuff we want to with the ball, then we are a tough team to beat. We had a few kicks in the first game but we started to really hit our strengths over the last three, so we are extremely confident that we will be competitive. If we keep playing as we are, then we will be there at the end of the season in the playoffs which is where every team wants to be.”

One of the biggest positives for you has been the way Jasprit Bumrah bowled, best bowling figures for him. How has the preparation been for him this year especially after the lockdown, and what have been his key focus areas so that he could bowl the way he was earlier?

Bond: “I think it’s been a challenge for all bowlers coming out of such a break. We are lucky we had a month here in terms of preparation. Then it takes probably 4-5 games just to get back into the groove of things, the way we operate. I think Jasprit, by his own admission, has done some really brilliant stuff and then 1-2 overs there, he hasn’t been as accurate as he would want to. We had this discussion pre-game. He really wanted to go back to his yorker today, go back to his strengths and use his bouncer as he normally does. I think that’s the strength of Jasprit when he has a performance that he's not totally happy with, he seems to bounce back. I know traditionally through the IPL, he gets better and better as the tournament goes on. He’s a key member for us and obviously the way we used him today with the new ball. I think we’ll do that throughout the rest of the tournament against different teams.”

Any particular update on Suryakumar Yadav’s injury at the moment?

Bond: “I don’t know if he just got a knock on the head. It's like any concussion stuff that can get out straightaway or it can happen later on. He was sitting here with the ice on the swelling. I think he’s pretty happy with his performance. In terms of an update, I don’t have any.”