Reigning Indian Premier League champion Mumbai Indians is in an unenviable position. Going into its last Group ‘A’ Champions League T20 match against Perth Scorchers at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Wednesday, there is a lot of anxiety in its ranks.
Victory is imperative, and even if it wins, progress will depend upon the outcome of the match between Rajasthan Royals and Otago Volts.
The least Mumbai has at stake is its reputation. The bottom-placed young Aussie side has nothing to lose and, with everything to gain, will come out firing.
A seven-wicket loss to the Royals in its opener was not the ideal start for Mumbai.
Its next match against Volts was even more frustrating — it was abandoned without even a ball being bowled due to heavy rains.
Mumbai did beat the Lions in its previous outing on September 27 to keep its chances alive. But the damage had been done.
“We knew the first game was big, and we did not win it. That is why we are in this situation,” said Mumbai coach John Wright on Tuesday.
Its future in the tournament being dependent on the outcome of the match between Royals and Otago, Wright said he was a little anxious.
“Yeah, let’s see…Hope for the best,” he said.
With best thing to do being focussing on its immediate task, Mumbai Indians team sweated it out in the heat and humidity here on Tuesday.
Being familiar enough with the conditions here from his tenure as coach of the Indian team, Wright said he was hoping for the best possible conditions for a good match.
“I hope the Delhi weather stays true to form,” he said.
“The last time we played here, it was a beautiful batting wicket. We have to play really well to stand a chance,” he said.
Scorchers have just the two points from their abandoned match against the Lions.
Coach Justin Langer, however, said he was sure that the members of his young side would take a few positives from their exposure to Indian conditions.
