Former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody said defending champions Mumbai Indians clearly tell why they are viewed as 'firm top choices' to win IPL 2020 in UAE. Moody, who was Sunrisers Hyderabad's head coach for seven seasons of the game, clarified that MI has profundity and quality in their bowling which is sponsored by the aptitude and intensity of their batsmen.

“Last night we saw why @mipaltan are seen as firm favorites for this years @IPL, bowling depth & quality along with batting skill & power all married with experience,” tweeted Moody.

Last night we saw why @mipaltan are seen as firm favourites for this years @IPL, bowling depth & quality along with batting skill & power all married with experience. #MIvKKR #IPL

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) September 24, 2020

Moody made these comments after the four-time IPL winners shrugged their defeat against CSK in the tournament opener by registering a thumping 49-run win against Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

MI, who looked somewhat corroded in basically every branch of the game against CSK turned it around totally against KKR with captain Rohit Sharma driving from the front.

Rohit's thump of 80 off 54 balls pushed Mumbai to 195-5 after Kolkata captain Dinesh Karthik proceeded with the pattern of handling first in the current year's IPL in the wake of winning the throw.

Kolkata self-destructed in their run pursue against a three-pronged Mumbai pace assault with Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and James Pattinson all asserting two wickets each and limiting the opponent's score to 146-9.

KKR's Australian select Pat Cummins, who is the most generously compensated abroad cricketer in the current year's IPL was dismantled by Rohit and Co. Cummins yielded 49 runs in his three overs.

Responding to the exhibition of the Australian snappy, Moody said KKR commander Dinesh Karthik ought to have given him the new ball.

“I was a bit surprised to see Pat Cummins bowl his first over in the 5th over. Having an experienced spearhead like him, I’d give him the first use of the ball, be it the first or the 2nd over purely to have an impact in the game, just to make a statement. He came into this year’s IPL as one of the highest-paid players, just to shake the pressure off him, give him the ball, let him run in bowl quickly, and give him the instructions to try and get wickets and not bowl conservatively in the 5th over,” he said in a video interview with a news media organization.