New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell McClenaghan provides a vital link in the Mumbai Indians line-up, both with the bat and the ball. More so with the white ball as he has been this highest wicket-taker with 17 sticks. He has been on the expensive side, though, going at 8.84 an over.
With the bat, he has hardly required to do anything. But, ever looking to improve his batting, the 30-year-old left-hander had quite a healthy chat with MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene after his net session on Wednesday, the eve of the match against Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede.
In fact, McClenaghan was hardly required to bat in the three seasons he has been part of Mumbai Indians. He has batted 14 times in 38 matches. It is more for his wicket-taking abilities, be it up front or in the middle, complementing the death overs specialists Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga and the spinners.
McClenaghan was not worried about going for runs if he was able to take wickets consistently. “I’ve gone around eight an over the whole tournament. It is not too far from the previous years. I try to be aggressive and get the key batsmen in the opposition,” the left-arm pacer said here on Wednesday.
Snapshots from MI training:
“It is important for me to be able to do that and bowl a lot of the hard overs as well when the guys are in or trying to hit towards the end. It is important to put things into perspective because everyone bowls in different stages. Even if I get hit for runs, I back myself to come back and do the job later on in the next over or in the next game.
“If you look across the board in this IPL, most times people have gone for 40-plus and very good bowlers go for 50 or 60 that is not even heard of. The frequency of that actually happening is far greater this year than in the past seasons. The way the game is being played has changed, obviously the equipment. Guys are playing with lot less fear, you’ve seen guys come in and swing from the hip all around. It is just getting harder. Bowlers have to keep on backing as we all do,” he said.
McClenaghan was keen to get better with his batting too. “I just want to keep on improving. My batting has got a whole bunch better the last couple of years. I want to put myself in a position where, as Ricky Ponting did and Mahela Jayawardane did earlier this year, they have the confidence to promote me up the order and try and score some quick runs. I just want to prove myself and become a good No. 8 batsman in T20 cricket, where I can go out and get 20 off eight balls,” he said.
Buttler to miss Play-offs
McClenaghan confirmed that Jos Buttler will not be available for the Play-offs though the England wicketkeeper was at the nets on Wednesday. Buttler missed out on MI’s last two games, with West Indian Lendl Simmons filling in for him nicely.
“Jos won’t be with us for the Play-offs. He has had a great season for us and is a world-class player. It’s a bit of a shame. We have been pretty lucky that someone like Lendl can take Jos’s spot. Key for us is to make sure he gets a couple of games under the belt and gets up to speed before the Playoffs. He is a crucial member of the squad,” McClenaghan said.
On the fitness of Krunal Pandya, McClenaghan was cautious not to rush him before the Play-offs. Pandya missed the last two games after hurting himself in the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 1.
“Krunal has just got a slight niggle. He has been with trainers and physios last couple of days. We’ll just wait and see. He is massively important for us going into the Play-offs,” McClenaghan said.
He added that with MI sealing the Play-offs spot, his team is motivated to play Qualifier 1 on May 16 at home. “Having the opportunity to finish first or second and to be able to play at home in front of our home fans at the Wankhede, that should be the motivation for all of us. It’ll give us a bit of an advantage,” he said.
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 "Mitchell McClenaghan")
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