Following the mega auction, the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League has been a fresh start for many teams. For Mumbai Indians (MI), though, the start of the season has followed the old script.
Mumbai Indians has built a reputation as a ‘slow starter’ after making the Playoffs in multiple seasons despite losing its early games. This season too the franchise has lost its first two games.
But if Hardik Pandya’s men want to stay in play-off contention deeper into the season, they will have to be at their best at home. As the side returns to the Wankhede Stadium for its maiden home tie of the season, it will bank on home support against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday.
MI will have to be at its best against a team that is helmed by two Mumbaikars — captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit. The visitor will bank on Sunil Narine’s all-round exploits who had missed the last game due to an illness.
MI holds a favourable head-to-head against KKR and if it wants to extend its dominance, veteran Rohit Sharma will have to make his presence felt at the top of the order. Rohit has scored just eight runs in two innings which has compounded MI’s batting woes.
After the defeat against Gujarat Titans on Saturday, captain Pandya had no qualms in stating that the batters had to take responsibility. Monday’s home game would be the best opportunity to do so.