IPL 2018: Area of concern for each side this season
Every side has played three games so far this season. While three matches might be too little to constitute a sample size large enough to come to any firm conclusions, it is enough to pick out trends. Trends that are working for teams that are winning and problems that teams have lost more than they have won.
With each side still figuring out what their combinations might be this season, let us take a look at problems and area of concern for each side this season in IPL 2018. Some are obvious and have led to defeats and others are apparent even if they haven't led to losses so far. These are concerns that each side must look to address if they are looking to end the season by lifting the IPL trophy.
Here is an area of concern for each side this season:
Mumbai Indians
Let us start at the bottom and go to the side that is currently winless in this year's IPL. While the defending champions haven't really clicked in across all departments in a game, all of their games have been close encounters.
They lost to CSK in the opening game, one which they should have won. But the next two games should have been comfortable victories for the opposing side but that was far from the case as MI made it a close encounter. While Rohit Sharma's form is a concern, he will find his way out but the bigger problem has to do with their batting line-up.
Although Evin Lewis is the established opener, he has had two different partners in three games. Both Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav have opened the innings and while the latter fared much better, MI haven't been consistent in defining the roles for each player. Rohit has been used as a floater, Pollard seemingly as an all-rounder, who doesn't really bowl or bat.
Both Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya have also been moved up and down the order. Although MI are traditionally slow starters, they need to find some stability, they could start by fixing their batting order and sticking with it.