As the TATA IPL 2026 season enters its second phase, with the ‘El Clasico’ headlining ‘Revenge Week’ from May 2, momentum could swing in any team’s favour. Speaking during a Media Day, Ian Bishop, an ESPNCricinfo expert, shared his thoughts on the areas MI need to improve, ‘Fearless Prodigy’ Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s strengths, and why, despite being at the top of the table, PBKS need to address their bowling.
Speaking during the Media Day ahead of ‘Revenge Week’, ESPNCricinfo expert Ian Bishop spoke about ‘Fearless Prodigy’ Vaibhav Suryavanshi:
“I think psychologically, or from a character standpoint, he is very tough because he’s taking on many of the world’s best bowlers. We’ve seen clips of Jofra Archer running into him in the nets and him playing the pull and lofted shots, and he’s taken on Jasprit Bumrah as well. Technically, he’s unique, with a bat swing more like a baseball swing, and it’s hard to pinpoint a clear weakness. The back-of-a-length delivery has troubled him at times in the Under-19 World Cup and against Sunrisers Hyderabad, but if it’s not executed well, those same balls disappear out of the park. He has world-class bowlers trying plans A, B, C, to E, F and G and that’s a good sign. We saw Arshdeep go yorker after yorker at him, which shows how difficult he is to contain. He’s set up well, and I don’t think there’s any one clear plan yet against Vaibhav.”
On what MI need to improve before their rematch with CSK:
“If I had to pick one area, among others that they need to work on, it would be bowling. When you look at the numbers, Mumbai are at the bottom of the ladder of all the teams in terms of bowling performance, along with Punjab Kings, across phases, and that to me is problematic. Yes, the game is evolving, the way T20 cricket and IPL is played, the batting is becoming more dominant, but the champion teams have always had strong bowling to back it up. Mumbai are still capable of scoring runs, but their bowling hasn’t lived up to its potential or helped them win games. A big part of that is Trent Boult not being at his best or getting the ball to swing as much, and Jasprit Bumrah also not in his best form. So, that’s the area that needs the biggest step up.”
On whether MI need to give their marquee players a break, taking a cue from KKR with Varun Chakaravarthy:
“From the outside, I just feel what Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Arshdeep Singh put into winning that T20 World Cup at home, must have been exhausting. Ideally, I would have liked to see Bumrah, who was outstanding, be given a bit of a break, and come back mentally strong. But that’s not always possible because of franchise commitments. Someone like Varun Chakaravarthy got a bit of time to recalibrate, and it seems to have worked, which shows that approach can help. As for Mumbai, I don’t think their results can be pinned on one person. Hardik Pandya himself admitted his form needs to improve. He hasn’t scored a fifty in 40-odd games and has been expensive at times. At the same time, he needs his senior players firing. As a Captain, you can have all the plans, but if your players don’t execute, it becomes difficult. I agree with what Kieron Pollard and Mahela Jayawardene have said, it’s a collective responsibility.”
On PBKS’ bowling issues surfacing ahead of their ‘Revenge Week’ match against GT:
“I’m a big fan of Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and Ricky Ponting as a Coach, and I like the aggressive brand Punjab Kings are playing. But the one concern, even though it might sound counterintuitive as they’re at the top of the table, is their bowling. The numbers show they’re in the bottom three across phases, which is an issue. It means you’re relying on out-batting strong teams like RCB, Sunrisers, or even a strong bowling side like Rajasthan Royals. Historically, the IPL-winning teams have had a balance between batting and bowling, and while Punjab are excellent with the bat, they need their bowlers to stand up. In that last game, there was some mis-execution under pressure, yorkers turning into full tosses, for example. So, the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, and Yuzvendra Chahal, need to start executing better in key moments.”
On his extensive research and being well-informed about young players’ journeys:
“I don’t think I’ve found that balance, to be honest. I’m not a funny guy naturally. My wife reminds me of that all the time. That’s why you have a mix in the commentary box. My good friend, Danny Morrison, brings the humour, so I leave the jokes to him. I really want to thank the journalists because the stories you produce on these players are invaluable. Without that work, we wouldn’t know as much as we do. If I have a couple of days between games, I’m studying throughout. That research is something I genuinely enjoy and that preparation is crucial. For me, it’s always been about people more than just their performances. I want to know their stories so I can share them, especially to inspire young kids and families that it’s possible to make it, regardless of circumstances. Even when I was playing, my wife used to get frustrated that I didn’t celebrate enough if I took a five-wicket haul. But that’s just how I’m wired. I’m always looking to learn more and do more.”
Catch TATA IPL 2026’s Revenge Week, May 2-10, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network
