Lack of partnerships issue for MI since last season: Sunil Gavaskar

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels that the lack of partnerships, especially at the top between Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, is hurting Mumbai Indians (MI). MI have lost both their matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 so far. 

Only Tilak Varma has looked in some form in the two matches so far, having scored 106 runs in two outings, including a blistering 84 not out in the first game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, they can rectify that when they take on Delhi Capitals (DC), who have lost three in three, next.

"MI's biggest problem since last season till date has been the lack of partnerships. Unless you have big partnerships, it is difficult for you to score big," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

"MI has been seen struggling continuously in this regard. MI should have built their innings on short but useful partnerships between Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, but they failed."

MI's top-three have scored at an average of 13.5 and have lost a wicket every 12 balls, which are the worst among all the teams. The top-order have also scored at a run-rate if just 6.8, which is the joint-worst with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

MI will hope Rohit, who has averaged less than 20 in his last 20 IPL innings will come good against DC, having scored just 22 runs in two IPL 2023 innings so far. In contrast, Suryakumar Yadav, MI's mainstay over the last couple of seasons, has managed just 16 runs in two outings, continuing his poor run of form since registering three continuous golden ducks in the One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia.