Ruthlessness the key for Mumbai Indians after setback, Jayawardene insists

After a 12-run defeat to Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians’ head coach Mahela Jayawardene emphasized the need for his team to be more “ruthless” in both batting and bowling. Despite strong individual performances from Suryakumar Yadav, who scored a half-century, and Hardik Pandya, who remained unbeaten during the run-chase, MI fell short of the target. Jayawardene attributed the loss to mistakes in key moments, acknowledging that the team had control for most of the game but failed to execute in critical situations.

“We need to finish the game off when we’re in those positions. It’s early in the season, but we’ve got to be smarter and more ruthless,” said Jayawardene. The loss was particularly disappointing after MI had just secured their first win of the season against Kolkata Knight Riders in their previous match.

MI’s decision to bowl first allowed Lucknow to post a strong score, with MI conceding 69 runs in the powerplay, the second-highest at a traditionally slow Wankhede pitch. Jayawardene praised Hardik Pandya’s bowling adjustments, noting his experience in adapting to conditions to pull the game back in MI’s favor.

Regarding MI’s away form, Jayawardene admitted the team’s struggles, with only one win in their three away games this season and a dismal record of 14 losses in 19 away games since 2023. “We need to fine-tune our bowling and execute better with the bat,” he said, stressing the importance of winning at home as they prepare for several upcoming matches at Wankhede.

With the tournament still wide open and several crucial fixtures ahead, Jayawardene believes MI can recover and capitalize on their upcoming home games to build momentum.