Sanjay Bangar backs Mumbai Indians to lift 3rd IPL title

Mumbai Indians have been a thoroughly entertaining side in this edition of IPL and it is because of their terrific all-round performance that they are standing at the top of the points table and are the only team to have already booked a place in the playoffs. Unless Kings XI Punjab pulls off two consecutive victories, the four semi-finalists will be Mumbai Indians, Knight Riders, Rising Pune Supergiant and defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Team India batting coach and former coach of King XI Punjab Sanjay Bangar franchise are of the opinion that Mumbai Indians are the clear favourites to lift the title for the 3^rd time. If it does happen, they will become the first side to lift the title for the 3^rd time. Though in the shortest format of the game it is pretty hard to predict but given their form, Mumbai definitely has their noses ahead in the tournament.

“Predictions are always difficult in the T20 format because it (the game) changes so quickly. But the teams sitting at the top of the table have a very good chance. At the moment I see Mumbai Indians to be the clear favourites,” Bangar was quoted as saying by India Today. Despite the batsmen not performing on a consistent basis, they have dominated the points table for the majority of the tournament.

“It’s not necessary that everything has to be done by one person. You saw with other teams which relied too much on one individual to perform. It’s not possible because it’s a team sport and contribution must come from every player whether he bats or bowls. Whether he bats in the first six or bats 10 balls in the last few overs. A team like Mumbai Indians has had lot of contributors. That’s why they are at the top,” he said.

Bangar further added that his former franchise Kings XI Punjab and Gujarat Lions have failed to gel as a unit as they had to over-rely on their Indian bowlers. “I believe most teams who have played with overseas batsmen and only Indian bowlers have struggled a bit. Gujarat and Kings X1 are a case in point. But Kings X1’s Indian bowling has been better and their foreign batsmen, unlike previous seasons, have performed. So they are still in with a chance,” he said.