Mumbai Indians

Both Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah are certified champions. Over the last many seasons, they’ve been our crisis men. We know that. So when by their lofty standards set, when the runs and the wickets column aren’t set on fire, it’s a feeling we aren’t used to. Ahead of the must-win game against the Chennai Super Kings, Mahlea Jayawardene, Mumbai Indians’ Head Coach, spoke about the conversations he’s been having with the two of them. ✊

"They are match winners, and they are human," he said. "They will go through these things, and their character is that they'll keep coming back and fighting. So the conversation we're having is not to have too much pressure on themselves because they feel that, okay, on their own, they should be able to deliver. So that is just saying it's fine. I mean, these things happen, let's keep trying."

With four points in eight games, this wasn’t the season Mumbai Indians were hoping for. But with six games remaining and a chance to go up to 16 points and have a realistic chance at qualifying for the playoffs, Mahela backed the team's ability and hunger to turn things around.

"I know they're very honest to themselves, how they approach the game, they train hard, the work ethic is great," he said. "So we just keep on pushing. I mean, that's what has worked for them for many years, that's where the success comes. Sometimes it will not have the results that they want.

"If we had won a few games in between as well, we still will be in the trail of where we need to be, and the confidence will be high, and all that. So every game from now on for us is most likely like a playoff game in a sense. And these guys are professional enough to understand, and they'll come fighting even harder, and then see what opportunities we have going forward, and that's all I can ask as a coach and they are up for the challenge."

Paltan, this is it. The Blue and Gold Spirit is set to be unleashed. B.E.L.I.E.V.E. 💙