Cricket

IPL 2023: This is my ninth season, so it’s getting frustrating – Shane Bond on MI’s inability to win opening game in tournament

Mumbai Indians haven’t been good starters in the last few seasons and bowling coach Shane Bond feels it is getting frustrating. MI lost their opening match of IPL 2023 against RCB and they were beaten convincingly by eight wickets and 22 balls to spare.

In fact, RCB has won five of its last six matches against MI. Furthermore, this loss was Mumbai’s 11th consecutive defeat in their opening match of an IPL season.

Momentum is the main currency of the T20 format and MI has failed to start off well. Thus, it will be imperative for them to get the winning impetus on their side as soon as possible in the baby stages of the tournament and then build on it.

MI could only manage 171 runs on the board as their batters failed to come up with a collective show against RCB on Sunday. The visitors were pegged on the back foot in the first 10 overs and though Tilak Varma scored a gutsy knock of 84 runs to help his team go past the 170-run mark, it was still not enough to challenge the home team.

Shane Bond said in the press conference, “This is my ninth season and we haven’t won our opening game. So it’s getting frustrating. At the end of the day, it’s a tough competition. It’s always better to have more wins than losses. It’s a tough way to start.”

The former New Zealand gun pacer also shared his delight with the return of home and away fixtures in the ongoing season.

“It was great to be back out on Chinnaswamy. With that atmosphere, we are just back into the traditional IPL. I think everyone missed it. Now we’ve got a few new players. They would have found it pretty intimidating but it’s much better for the experience.

“I think everyone’s just excited to be back into the traditional IPL. Even for me, standing out in the middle today, feeling that energy from the crowd and the noise was quite special.”

On the other hand, RCB got off to a flying start as Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis hit the straps to add 148 runs for the opening alliance. However, Bond admitted their bowlers offered too much width in the bowling innings.

“With Virat, you just don’t want to pitch the ball too full. He’s so good when the ball is up in his eyes and full. He got us. With Faf, we knew he would use his feet. We wanted to try and use the yorker and probably didn’t use it enough. We offered too much width at the start of our innings. We got hit to both sides of the pitch and couldn’t really create any pressure.

“We never strung two overs together where we felt like the game was squeezing. That was obviously a little bit to do with our bowling, but they played brilliantly.”

Mumbai Indians will next take on Chennai Super Kings on Saturday at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Mary Kom Questions India’s Boxing Preparations After Paris 2024 Olympic Disappointment

Indian boxing legend Mary Kom has voiced concerns over the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI)… Read More

October 4, 2024

RP Singh Hails Jasprit Bumrah as the Century’s Best Seamer Despite Lack of Awards Recognition

Former Indian pacer RP Singh has praised Jasprit Bumrah as this century's best seamer, despite… Read More

October 4, 2024

Odisha FC Fights Back to Secure 2-2 Draw Against Kerala Blasters in Thrilling ISL Clash

Odisha FC staged a spirited comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Kerala Blasters in… Read More

October 4, 2024

“I feel Shahrukh Khan won’t allow Shreyas Iyer to go” – Aakash Chopra on KKR’s potential retentions ahead of IPL 2025 auction

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shahrukh Khan won’t release… Read More

October 4, 2024

“A lot of people had different opinions, some felt his aggressive game wasn’t suited to red-ball cricket” – Salil Ankola on Yashasvi Jaiswal

Former Indian pacer and national selector Salil Ankola has revealed that some people thought Yashasvi… Read More

October 4, 2024

“His teammates connect with him very well” – Harbhajan Singh says Rohit Sharma is a better captain than MS Dhoni

Former Indian veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh picked Rohit Sharma as a better captain than MS… Read More

October 4, 2024