IPL 2023: Indians must step up

MI’s Ishan Kishan during his 32-run knock v CSK at the Wankhede on Saturday; (right) DC’s Prithvi Shaw after his dismissal against GT at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday. Pic/Ashish Raje, PTI

Both Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians will be expecting a lot more from their local talent as they search for their maiden victory in the Indian Premier League here on Tuesday.

It is extremely difficult to gain consistency in the highly competitive league if the Indian players are not delivering and that is what is plaguing both sides.

Delhi are being forced to go back to the drawing board after three losses in as many games while perennial slow starters Mumbai have also lost two in two. Both have their work cut out in all the departments.

Top order woes

Delhi's top-order was ‘Boulted' in the last game, raising questions about Prithvi Shaw's ability against fast bowling. He has been dismissed in different fashion - pace, bounce and swing, in his three innings and there doesn't seem to be a quick fix to his technical issues.

With wickets falling at the other end, skipper David Warner has got the runs but it has come at a strike rate of 117.

Getting the opportunity in the absence of Mitchell Marsh, who has gone back home to get married, Manish Pandey lasted only one ball Delhi's pacers, including Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed, have been taken to the cleaners and the team must address that issue against Mumbai.

A spicy deck was dished out for the opening game here with pacers getting plenty of assistance. The conditions might favour them again for the Delhi attack to bounce back. There is a big question mark over the fitness of Khaleel, who injured his hamstring in the game against Rajasthan Royals.

In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav has been economical but the team expects more from him in the middle overs while Axar Patel has been expensive.

Unacceptable start

"If I could put my finger on it, I'd do something to change it. We need to do some more soul-searching as a group and talk about it. Three games in and no wins "you can't afford to get off to bad starts in the IPL," head coach Ricky Ponting said after the loss to the Royals.

The star-studded Mumbai Indians too have a lot to figure out, starting with their explosive top-order which has flattered to deceive so far. Skipper Rohit Sharma looked good before a beauty of a ball from Tushar Deshpande got the better of him against CSK.

Also read: In search of first win, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians hope local talent delivers

A special knock from Ishan Kishan too is awaited while million dollar buy Cameron Green is yet to make an impact.

When a batter is out of form, he finds news ways to get out and that is what is happening with star player Suryakumar Yadav, who would be hoping his unexpected lean run ends on Tuesday.

The young Tilak Verma has stood out in an otherwise under performing batting department. Rohit had no hesitation in saying after the CSK game that the senior players need to step up.

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