IPL 2023: The most frustrating thing is not sticking to plans – Shane Bond slams MI bowlers

Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond lashed out at his bowlers after their five-run loss against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Tuesday. Bond feels the most frustrating thing is not sticking to the plans they had before the game.

LSG posted a par score of 177 runs on the board, courtesy of a blistering knock from their all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who smashed 89 runs from 47 balls with the help of four fours and eight maximums.

MI conceded 54 runs in the last three overs of their bowling innings and it was the turning point of the game. In fact, Chris Jordan was taken for 6, 0, 4, 4, 6, 4 in the 18th over of the innings as he conceded 24 runs against Marcus Stoinis, and it proved to be a match-changing over.

MI bowlers have failed to hit the right areas especially while bowling in the death overs. In fact, LSG were 35-3 after 6.1 overs but Marcus Stoinis played a brilliant knock for his team to get them close to the 180-run mark, which proved to be enough in the end.

Shane Bond said in the post-match press conference, “For me, the most frustrating thing is about not sticking to the plans that we talk about. We were very clear with what we wanted to do on this wicket to players like Marcus and where we wanted to bowl, we didn’t bowl there consistently enough.

“When you’re looking at a team plan, you’ve got to get the batsmen to hit in areas where you want them to hit. Make it as hard as possible for them. You don’t want them to hit you in areas that they want to hit.

The former gun New Zealand fast bowler feels Stoinis’ knock was the difference between the two teams but also believes his bowlers failed to hit the right areas.

“We saw that with Stoinis – a fine player. We knew he was trying to hit straight down the ground and we dished out balls for him to do it. In the end, his innings was the difference between the two teams.”

Bond added they were right on the money in the first 15 overs of their bowling innings but veered off the track in the last five overs, which was disappointing.

“We’ve always prided ourselves in our preparation, the work that we do behind the scenes and how we review the game – the mistakes on which we want to improve. The frustrating thing is that we’re making the same mistake over and over again. From my point of view, it’s disappointing.

MI will play a must-win match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.