MI can’t afford trademark sluggish begin to IPL, CSK have implausible shot at title: Pietersen

Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen says defending champions Mumbai Indians can ill-afford a typical sluggish begin when the IPL resumes and MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings have a “fantastic shot” at regaining the title after a poor 2020 season.
Four-time winners Mumbai Indians, two-time champions Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore and 2020 finalists Delhi Capitals had been positioned within the top-four when IPL was suspended in May attributable to COVID instances in its bio-bubble.
The T20 league begins this weekend.
“Everybody will expect the holders of the competition, Mumbai Indians, to go well, but they don’t have a good history of hitting the ground running. They tend to lose their first few games and then come good towards the end of the tournament,” Pietersen wrote in a weblog in betway.com.
“We are already in the direction of the tip of the event now. Mumbai can’t afford to lose three or 4 video games earlier than they begin enjoying as a result of there’s so little time to play catch-up.
“If they are to retain their crown, they must be on it from ball one. Clearly, with the talent they have in their side, they are capable of doing it.”

The Super Kings, who’re referred to as the ‘Dad’s Army’ as many of the gamers within the aspect are over 30, endured a poor 2020 once they completed on the joint backside place however Pietersen feels the Dhoni”s staff might go all the best way this time.
“Everybody wrote off the old boys’ army of CSK before the IPL started in April, so seeing them go so well was a bit of a surprise. Their overseas players Faf Du Plessis, Moeen Ali and Sam Curran, in particular, delivered the goods,” he wrote.

👀 Mumbai Indians 👀https://t.co/MkFylWqbxF
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) September 17, 2021
“But I’m undecided how effectively this four-month absence could have suited them. It might take them a short time to crank again into gear, significantly the older gamers.
“If they are ready, it could be a historic few weeks for the franchise. They have a fantastic shot at winning a title that everybody thought was beyond them.”
Pietersen, a four-time Ashes winner, additionally backed the England gamers after experiences emerged that lots of the English gamers might boycott the Ashes attributable to strict quarantine guidelines in Australia in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s going to be very interesting to see how this situation with The Ashes develops. Players don’t want to be away from families for months on end, particularly when they’re restricted to bubble life,” he stated.

“I do know that if I hadn’t been capable of take my household on an Ashes tour, there’s no approach I’d have gone.
“I sympathise with all of the players in that position. Playing in The Ashes down under is hugely exciting, but they’re being put in a very difficult position.”
The Ashes is scheduled to be held in December this yr.