We won't have Jos Buttler in the play offs: Mitchell McClenghan

Mumbai Indians are currently sitting pretty at the top of the IPL points table and have already booked their place in the playoffs. They have been thoroughly entertaining in all 3 departments of the game which has reflected in their results. They lost their previous encounter to Sunrisers Hyderabad but given their star-studded lineup it won’t be difficult for them to get back to winning ways against Kings XI Punjab.

The batsmen have provided the ideal start to Mumbai and the middle order has also played some terrific brand of cricket which has been backed up brilliantly by their bowlers. Mitchell McCleneghan has been the unsung hero for Mumbai with Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga hogging the limelights. Though he has gone for some runs in this season, the left-arm seamer has bagged wickets at a consistent rate.

Speaking at a press conference McCleneghan revealed that opener Jos Buttler won’t be available for the playoffs. “Buttler won’t be with us for the playoffs but he has a great season for us. We are pretty lucky that someone like Lendl (Simmons) comes in and takes Jos’s spot. Key is Lendl gets a couple of games under his belt, gets up to speed before the playoffs.”

McCleneghan’s role in the team 

He also spoke about his role in the team during the press conference. “My role in the side is to go and take wickets. Be aggressive and try and get the key batsman out in the opposition, so it is important for me to do that and bowl lot of hard overs when the guys are in or going to hit in the end,” the left-arm seamer was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Meanwhile, Buttler has been a magnificent option at the top of the order for Rohit Sharma given his swashbuckling strokeplay but his replacement Lendl Simmons have done a reasonable job till now and will look to replicate his heroics in the playoffs.