They have lost their first game in 13 consecutive seasons and 14 out of 18 overall. The last time they won their opening match was in 2012 against Chennai Super Kings. This pattern has become a talking point every year.
Despite being strong over the full season, Mumbai have struggled to start well. Coach Mahela Jayawardene said the team is focused on playing with intensity and not changing preparation just for the first game.
“I mean it is very different in the room, but there is no way for us to, I don’t think, prepare differently. I think we just…if you look at the season that I was involved in, we had close matches we lost. I think I have spoken to the boys about it – the intensity being there for that first game, I think that’s all we can control,” Mahela Jayawardene, MI’s coach, said on the eve of the game.
The question remains whether Mumbai Indians can finally start with a win this time.
