Jayasuriya has to fire if Mumbai needs to make semis

For Mumbai to have any chance of a semi-final place, Jayasuriya has to fire, starting today against Punjab

For Mumbai to have any chance of a semi-final place, Jayasuriya has to fire, starting today against Punjab

One masterstroke still sticks out fresh in memory from Mumbai Indians' inaugural Indian Premier League campaign a nonchalant flick off the legs to the roof of the Wankhede Stadium.

Sanath Jayasuriya looked in good touch against Bangalore on Sunday.

It's no surprise that the man who hit that amazing stroke was Sanath Jayasuriya, one of the most devastating batsmen in the history of the game.

He was quite easily Mumbai's standout player of the first IPL. In the absence of Sachin Tendulkar due to injury, Jayasuriya had admirably shouldered the responsibility and led the way. It was a stirring performance as he finished the third-highest run-getter with 514 runs.

Must-win matches
His IPL team is again under tremendous pressure and are faced with a must-win situation in all their remaining games.

Strangely, it's poor batting which has let MI down. However, the top-order have raised some hope of a fightback with a solid performance in their last game against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Ajinkya Rahane and JP Duminy led the way with unbeaten half-centuries. There was a small but valuable contribution from opener Jayasuriya.

While he has got two half-centuries before in this tournament, he looked more ominous during that cameo of 29. There was a calm assurance about his stay at the crease, enough signs that he was trying to get his eye in for a big one. And, that's when he's at his most dangerous because while others can get you to a respectable total, a big one from Jayasuriya will simply take the game away from you.

Vital cog
An in-form Jayasuriya is absolutely vital to provide balance to MI's batting line-up. There are quite a few with the ability to lend solidity to the innings, but no one who bats as fearlessly as Jayasuriya.

Kings XI Punjab coach Tom Moody said his team has plans laid out for Jayasuriya.

"He's dangerous and a prized wicket. We would be keen to knock him over early as he is incredibly destructive in the first 10 overs.

"We have lot of input in our side as to how he plays from two of his team colleagues Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara in our team. We will have our plans set out to derail Sanath early on," the Australian said.

In the earlier matches, he paid the price for batting as he would back home going after the bowling from the word go.

Against the Challengers, he was prepared to bide his time; he was very careful of balls which were not in his range and was very cautious while leaving the ones pitched outside off stump.

The disappointment of being dropped from the previous game against Delhi Daredevils seemed to have the right effect on the battle-hardened veteran. It has helped him rethink his game for these bowler-friendly conditions.

With the situation demanding an all-out attack, their proven match-winner is MI's best bet to lead the way.