NEW DELHI: Bottom-dwellers Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will face five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), who are still in the playoffs contention, at Wankhede stadium on Sunday in their final Indian Premier League match of the season.
Despite SRH's disappointing campaign, batting legend and head coach Lara conveyed the team's determination to end the season on a positive note.
"We are here to upset the party for Mumbai; we want to win, and it will be great to at least end in that fashion. But it's going to take a lot of effort and professionalism in putting a team together moving forward. But to get the right attitude and get everyone pulling in the right direction is very important," Lara emphasised. He recognized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and fostering unity within the team as they strive for improvement in the future.
1/10:IPL: Desperate Mumbai Indians eye big win over Sunrisers Hyderabad
IANS
2/10:MI need big win
<p>Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will be desperate for a victory by a big margin over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, in what could also be their last outing in 2023 Indian Premier League.<br /></p>AFP
3/10:SRH are already eliminated
<p>While SRH are already ruled out of the race to the playoffs, Mumbai Indians will be keen to make the most of their excellent show at the Wankhede Stadium this season so far.<br /></p>IANS
4/10:MI at Wankhede this season
<p>With four wins and two defeats, MI have certainly taken full advantage of their home ground, something that Rohit Sharma's men would want to continue as they also have the final opportunity to improve their Net Run Rate.<br /></p>ANI
5/10:MI are still in playoff race
<p>Unlike Rajasthan Royals who have finished the league round with 14 points and a superior NRR of 0.148, Mumbai Indians can do one better and end with 16 points, but they must also win big.<br /></p>PTI
6/10:RCB in pole position
<p>Currently at fourth, Royal Challengers Bangalore can be described as being in pole position since they have a better NRR of 0.180 than MI (-0.128) and RR.<br /></p>AFP
7/10:Advantage RCB
<p>RCB can also grab two vital points if they beat Gujarat Titans, but more importantly, Faf du Plessis' side would know what exactly is required of them since they play the last game of the league round.<br /></p>AFP
8/10:NRR
<p>Mumbai Indians' chances will get stronger if they win and RCB lose, whereas if they both win their respective games on Sunday, the NRR will come into play. <br /></p>AFP
9/10:Bowling a worry for MI
<p>MI's biggest concern, at Wankhede, has been their bowling which conceded four totals on the trot in excess of 200 and nearly a fifth against RCB, which has left their batters under severe pressure.<br /></p>IANS
10/10:MI batters
<p>Despite Rohit blowing hot and cold, MI's batting has pulled off difficult tasks with ease and the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Cameron Green, Ishan Kishan and Nehal Wadhera will be expected to go all guns blazing.<br /></p>AFPLara shared his insights and reflections on the team's performance during a press conference ahead of their final league match against MI and also expressed his thoughts on SRH's recent struggles and the challenges they have faced.
"It is not too demanding. You are going to have a team that wins the IPL, a team that runs in the bottom and a team in the middle. But it is a process that you have to take, and SRH for the last few years have not been playing up to the expectations," Lara said. He acknowledged the disappointment surrounding SRH's performance in recent seasons, recognizing the need for improvement.
Acknowledging his own role, Lara humbly remarked, "I do not think my name was going to miraculously bring success, a job has to be done professionally, big name or no big name. As I said, (it is my) first time in this position, it has been a wonderful learning experience for me and something that I will take away moving forward." Lara emphasised that success is not solely dependent on the reputation of individuals, but rather on the collective efforts of the entire team.
Lara expressed his support for SRH's captain, Aiden Markram, and recognized the challenges that come with assuming leadership responsibilities. "I think Aiden did a tremendous job, and we will do some sort of review and reflection to see how we can work things out for the betterment next year. But it is always going to be difficult coming into an environment and trying to lead. If I can speak for myself, I will definitely learn from this experience," Lara stated. He highlighted the learning curve that both he and Markram have faced as newcomers to their respective roles.
Lara also highlighted the need for a thorough review of the season and a collective effort to bounce back stronger. While acknowledging the challenges faced by SRH, he remains optimistic about the team's potential and the valuable lessons learned along the way.
(With inputs from PTI)
