‘Their character will be tested’ – Venkatesh Prasad feels Mumbai Indians will be challenged heading into WPL playoffs

Mumbai Indians (MI) have already qualified for the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) season playoffs. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side have been the standout franchise for the first-ever WPL. They are the only unbeaten team so far in the tournament, having won their five matches and are at the helm of the points table. 

Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad feels that the break between MI’s last league game on March 21, and the final could pose a challenge to them. The veteran pacer said that MI Women will want to keep playing to keep their winning rhythm intact.

“They have a 4-5 days gap before they play the final. Who knows, that’s where things might go wrong. There’s a break in momentum. I don’t how they are going to keep themselves going. When you are playing and doing well as a team, you will always be itching to play the second game,” Prasad told Sportskeeda.

“When suddenly after the last league game on 21st, they don’t have any matches till 26th, that’s almost 4-5 days, that’s where their character will be tested. How they make sure they stay together as a team and what are the kind of discussions they will be having. And how they make sure they get a break from a rigorous tournament and yet be ready for the final,” he added.

‘MI were tested against Gujarat Giants’- Prasad reflects on MI's performance so far

While asked about the dominance of Mumbai Indians in WPL, Venkatesh Prasad said that they were tested in their last match against Gujarat Giants (GG). The 53-year-old further added that the Giants had the advantage to win the game but failed to do so. However, he praised MI by stating that they still have the momentum.

“One particular game, they were tested, against Gujarat Giants. Gujarat got down to the middle and lower-order as well and they restricted the Mumbai Indians (MI) to 162. They had a great opportunity win that game against MI, but then they their batting failed,” Prasad said. 

“Mumbai Indians have got the momentum with them. Every single team is playing almost every day or every second day. In that sense, Mumbai Indians are able to carry the momentum forward. They have never had any sort of break in momentum,” he concluded.

Mumbai Indians registered a 55-run win over Gujarat Giants in their last game at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. They will next take on UP Warriorz at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai on Saturday, March 18.

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