Updated On: 16 September, 2021 12:00 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In an interview, Gautam Gambhir spoke about KL Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and the advantage that defending champs Mumbai Indians have at the IPL 2021

KL Rahul (left); Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu. Pictures/ AFP
The IPL 2021 edition is all set to resume on September 19 and former Indian cricketer and IPL player Gautam Gambhir went on to share his opinion about various IPL cricketers and their performances. Gambhir, who captained the KKR team at the IPL and also led them to the title in 2012, spoke about KL Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and the advantage that defending champs Mumbai Indians have.
Speaking exclusively on Star Sports show Game Plan, former Team India batsman Gautam Gambhir spoke on how Mumbai Indians can have an advantage in UAE at the IPL 2021. "They’ve played in conditions that are completely different to where they normally play in. When you see the conditions in Chepauk or Delhi, they are completely different from what you get at Wankhede. And, as I mentioned, they are going into conditions that are suited to their fast bowling - people like Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult. There will be swing upfront, so they will be very dangerous. Plus, Mumbai wants balls to swing and you’ve got quality fast bowlers and it’s going to be an advantage for them. Plus their batters, want the balls to come on to the bat as well, people like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, all those guys struggled at Chepauk, because it was gripping and turning. They are not going to struggle, once they start playing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. So, that’s the reason why I would feel Mumbai Indians will have an advantage; they can’t afford slow starter anymore, because they have seven games to go and they might have to win 5 matches to qualify, so they can’t afford to be in that situation, where they have to win five out of five," he said.