Mumbai Indians ended the league phase of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 at the top of the standings after a 9-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The victory means we take on defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Tuesday with an opportunity to qualify for the IPL 2019 final.

MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene spoke to media at the post-match and was full of praise for countryman Lasith Malinga, who was the pick of our bowlers with figures of 3 for 35. “It is good to see him (Malinga) try different things, it was not easy for him because he had to go back to Sri Lanka, play few games and come back. So, that in and out (of the team) was a bit hard to manage. He is a big part in our setup, experience on the field, him and (Jasprit) Bumrah make for a very potent attack. We can use them at different times. The way he bowled today showed a lot of character,” Jayawardene said.

Malinga – IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker – dismissed both Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell, bowling from around the wicket. “We have been working on it for about a week or so, trying to create a different angle because the batsmen were getting used to him (Malinga) with the same thing so, that’s something we’ve been practising and he was quite comfortable and had a good session yesterday as well. At the practice, he felt very good, we told him it is about time he tried that in a game. He did it, which is the thing in modern day cricket. Even though you have been great, you have to find new ways of creating things and it was nice to see him open to that idea and getting rewards,” Jayawardene explained.

MI though aren’t a one-man team and Jayawardene made that abundantly clear. “We have got quality players, but we do not want to put the onus on one player. That creates pressure, if you have expectations before the season starts then it puts you under pressure. We want to go out there and play good quality cricket. Good to see Quinton (de Kock) fitting in the role we wanted him to. He takes the pressure off Rohit (Sharma) which allows him to play his natural game. Everyone has stepped up to the plate and has responded well. Happy and pleased with the performances,” he said.

Jayawardene also elaborated on how MI’s bowling unit was the best in the league. “Well, we always believe that, specially playing in Wankhede, given how good the wicket is, we always wanted to create a bowling unit who can control situations and the opposition. We have seen this season, a couple of times, our guys concede some runs but when you have the quality we’ve got and the variation we have; it gives Rohit enough options to attack any opposition line up,” he said.

“This is something we have created especially with the depth; a lot of teams scoring big runs and we wanted to have something different. Bumrah has been fantastic for us, add to that Malinga and I think Hardik (Pandya) as well has bowled really well at the back end for us in quite a few games so, that gives us a variety of options. We knew that to do well in the IPL, the bowling attack has to be the one delivering for you, day in and day out,” Jayawardene added.

When asked about Hardik’s performances this season, Jayawardene said: “I think it is his temperament (that’s developed), his patience rather than force was the issue. For Hardik, it is about holding his shape because of the power he has. It is difficult for the bowlers to bowl to him. He has adapted really well coming in at five or six and giving (us) those late runs. He is still learning. He is a confident player and a lot of the other guys are helping him too.”