Mumbai Indians come home to Wankhede

Only two weeks ago, the Wankhede Stadium was a symbol of national fervour and patriotic zeal. Suddenly, it’s about all things Mumbai. Lasith Malinga’s primal (and short-lived) celebrations on that flood-lit Saturday may have made him a villain on these shores but on Friday, the Sri Lankan slinger and the man he dismissed on April 2 — Sachin Tendulkar — will join hands for the first time at the same venue. The IPL bandwagon has finally chugged into Aamchi Mumbai.

And as the refurbished venue prepares to play host to its most famous son and his Mumbai Indians (MI) mates on Friday, it’s only right and fitting that we spare a thought for Mahela Jayawardene. Only two weeks ago, the stylish right-hander from Sri Lanka mesmerised a packed house with his sublime batting. But alas, he became the first-ever World Cup final centurion to end up on the losing side. And in all probability, the IPL side — Kochi Tuskers Kerala — that he now is skipper of, could well end up 

getting trampled by the mighty city-based outfit.

MI have literally suffocated their opponents with both bat and ball. 

And the men who matter — Tendulkar and Malinga — were at the forefront on both occasions. The Mukesh Ambani-owned franchise annihilated Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore — both away wins, mind you — in the space of three days. And the deadly duo would be hoping to carry on their impressive showing against newbies Kochi, who are yet to taste victory in this tournament.

Tendulkar, whose glittering and unmatched career came a full circle on that fateful Saturday night, has been as supreme as ever in the IPL too. The maestro’s knocks of 48 and 55 — both unbeaten — and Malinga’s toe-crushing dollars have been chiefly responsible for MI’s dominance this season.

Malinga blew away Delhi with excellent figures of five for 13. He did go for runs in his second spell against Bangalore, but his initial burst allowed Mumbai to restrict their southern rivals to a modest 140. Others, including World Cup-winners Munaf Patel and Harbhajan Singh, have also been on the dot for the Mumbai outfit.

However, what Mumbai must be careful about is complacency and skipper Tendulkar has already cautioned his teammates after the thumping win over Bangalore two days ago. “We have had a good beginning and we have to maintain the consistency as there is still a long way to go,” he said.

On the other hand, Kochi have had a troubled beginning. They posted decent totals of 161 and 148 against Bangalore and Pune Warriors respectively, but their bowling department let them down on both occasions.

Jayawardene, too, has been a disappointment. Misfiring opener Brendon McCullum and partner VVS Laxman will also have to fire in unison on Friday. Moreover, the form of new-ball bowlers RP Singh — the leading wicket-taker in the first three editions combined — and S Sreesanth remains Kochi’s biggest concern.

Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, too, has been struggling and was taken apart by little-known domestic cricketer Mohnish Mishra of Pune Warriors India on Wednesday.