IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians have found the balance to excel, says Parthiv Patel

Mumbai Indians have gone from strength after losing the first match and wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel feels it is due to a settled side they have now.

Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has attributed the former champions’ position at the top tier of the points table midway through the IPL 2017 to good balance in the line-up.

Parthiv Patel of Mumbai Indians plays through the leg side during the 2017 Indian Premier League match against Rising Pune Supergiant at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 24. (BCCI)

The Mumbai Indians bowling attack has been led by mainstays Mitchell McClenaghan (12 wickets) and fellow paceman Jasprit Bumrah (9) in the eight matches while Harbhajan Singh has a great economy rate. Even the Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal, have had successful spells with the ball.

Nitish Rana (266 runs) and Jos Buttler (230 runs) rank among the top-10 run-getters of IPL 2017 with Kieron Pollard (199 runs) too not far behind.

Clicking with bat and ball

Parthiv Patel feels stellar contributions with bat and ball has helped Mumbai Indians ascend. “Irrespective of the wicket, I think we have a proper balance in the bowling attack. We have got six bowlers who can bowl four overs, irrespective of whether it is a green wicket or spin-friendly.

“And our batting is clicking, that is the reason we are at the top of the table. It is all about us having a good balance,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event in Mumbai.

Jos Buttler and Hardik Pandya also attended the event, held as part of the IPL and Mumbai Indians’ crowd-engagement initiatives between matches.

Ideal partnership

The opening pair of Parthiv and Buttler has been fairly successful, together raising 298 runs in eight matches, their highest partnership being 81 runs in Mumbai Indians’ eight-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.

Parthiv said the successful pairing was down to them being polar opposites at the crease and good buddies off the field.

“We gel well off the field as well as we enjoy batting together, and it is showing in the way we have been playing,” Parthiv said, when asked about his partnership with Buttler.

“We complement each other — he likes to go from the outset, while I like to take my six balls because it allows me to settle down a bit.

“I enjoy batting with him. He is probably the most destructive batsman I have seen,” Parthiv added.