We’re all frustrated and disappointed, need to start producing results: Tim David

Being ninth on the points table after nine matches is not what Mumbai Indians (MI) would have envisioned when they traded Hardik Pandya, but that’s exactly what’s unfolded as the five-time champions find themselves potentially one defeat away from crashing out in the group stages.

Following the thrashing at the hands of Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur, MI, on April 27 (Saturday), suffered yet another loss, their sixth of the season, losing to Delhi Capitals by 10 runs after conceding 257, bowling first. 

Post the game, MI batter Tim David asserted that the entire group is ‘frustrated’ and ‘disappointed’ and insisted on the need for the side to start producing results immediately.

“We’re disappointed in ourselves, sitting ninth on the points table. We’ll go back and reflect like we always do - we’ve got a process that we go through after each game. We’re just trying to improve constantly, but now the results have to come. If we don’t get the wins, we’re going to go home early,” David said at the press conference post the DC game.

“When you’re not winning a lot of games, there’s clearly execution issues. Every player in the side wants to be having a bigger contribution, contributing to victories. Everyone is disappointed and frustrated. We all wanna challenge ourselves and perform better. Sometimes in T20 cricket, trying too hard also doesn’t work.”

Two nights ago Punjab Kings had chased down a record 262, but still 250+ chases have an extremely low success rate in T20 cricket. Prior to the Punjab - Kolkata clash, there had only been two instances of 250+ targets getting chased down in T20s.

When asked if MI felt 258 was a ‘near impossible’ target to chase, David said that, due to where they found themselves in the points table, his side did not have the privilege of wondering whether a target was chaseable or not.

“Has to be ‘chaseable’ when you’ve won 3/8 games in the season,” David said, talking about the chase.

“You work out what’s the best way of getting the total. To be honest, the boundary size was small, but the pitch wasn’t super fast. The ball had to get changed halfway through because it was getting chewed up a bit. But it’s that stage of the season when you can be wondering if a score is chaseable or not. That’s not an option.”

He said that, in hindsight, DC might have won the game in the powerplay. On the day, the home side posted a mammoth 92/0 in the powerplay. In comparison, all MI could post was 65, while losing three wickets. Eventually, the visitors fell short by 10 runs.

“Statistically, they [DC] had a much better powerplay than us. When you’re chasing 250, the top-order has to try and take on the bowlers and set the tone. Our guys did that, they got out trying to push the score. That’s part of the game, when you’re chasing a big score,” David said.

The right-hander reserved special praise for countryman Jake Fraser-McGurk, who continued to light up the IPL with his stunning hitting ability. Against Mumbai, the young right-hander smashed 84 off just 27 balls, posting a 15-ball fifty for the second time in the season.

“As someone who is currently a part of the Australian team, it’s exciting to see a young player play such brilliant cricket,” David said of Fraser-McGurk.

“The amount of boundaries he’s hitting, it feels like he’s hitting a boundary every ball. Extremely clean striking. Hopefully he can keep this form going, it’s awesome.”

Play Asli Fantasy on Cricket.com. Download the App Now.