IPL 2014: Mumbai Indians have to change their fortunes, says coach John Wright

Mumbai Indians won the double last year

Having lost all their matches in the IPL this season, Mumbai Indians are one team that will be seeking for a miracle to happen. The mood in the dressing room is that of disappointment, sorrow, regret and dejection. Mumbai seem to be doing all that it can to not lose hope. Former New Zealand cricketer and coach of Mumbai Indians John Wright accepts that Mumbai’s greatest challenge will be to lift the spirits in the dressing room.

“Every game now is like a cup tie,” he said. “None of us are enjoying the mood in the changing room. Obviously I don’t have to tell you that it’s not fun losing in this competition. We were in the penthouse last year in two competitions but have walked down the stairs the past two weeks,” he added.

Wright does not criticize the players for the bad performance of the team. “We haven’t put it together on the park. That is something I am acutely aware of,” he said.

“We will run out of games if we don’t start winning and put in a number of win in-a-row quickly,” he added.

Not losing hope, Wright is of the belief that his team can make a comeback in the latter half of the tournament. “We have played well in Mumbai before. We have to do that again. We have to get some runs and enjoy that when it happens – and it will happen real quickly,” he said.

“We will take it game by game and pick the best combination that can win the next game. We tried various things and now know more about our batting combinations. We have to look at the conditions and put together a bowling attack,” he added.

The return to form of Kieron Pollard has been one good sign for the Mumbai-based franchise. “That Kieron is back in form is a big bonus for us. It has been a tough couple of weeks for us when we haven’t gained any momentum but we have seen more encouraging signs and, heading back to Mumbai, we know more,” the 59-year-old coach said.

Wright believes that having faith in the team is to go about it. “We would like to change our direction and want to go up,” he said.