I was not surprised at MI losing, going by their past tradition and their losing trend could continue for at least another 3-4 games. It was super Smith who performed a Dhoni encore of past to finish with two towering sixes .Dhoni just watched from the other end. Smith has certainly raised a new hope for the Pune team to do much better this time around. I am sure Dhoni will gradually regain 90% of his old form to make the difference. With opener Rahane and Ben Stokes in the m.o the batting certainly looks formidable given Captain Smith’s deadly form. The Spin attack too seems to have more than made up for the loss of Ashwin but pace attack especially the death overs need more attention. Although Ashok Dhinda is a good bowler but he lacks variety, the slower ones etc. and may be other bowlers need to supplement. In the first match RCB paid the price yet again with their weak bowling problem continuing. This is the last chance for RCB to sharpens their bowling attack to win the trophy and include their name among winners in the first decade of IPL inception. Coming to KKR-GL match slated for to-day while KKR will miss Andre Russel and Umesh Yadav, the G/Lions will be missing more—two of the best all-rounders, Sir Jadeja and D/Bravo. That’s why KKR possibly have an edge.
