IS PRESENCE OF SACHIN TENDULKAR, RICKY PONTING 'HARMING' MUMBAI INDIANS? WONDERS DEAN JONES

The presence of several legends in the Mumbai Indians squad is proving counter-productive, according to NDTV cricket expert Dean Jones. Defending champions Mumbai Indians crashed to their fifth straight Indian Premier League defeat in Dubai on Wednesday night. Mumbai are the only team not to score a point in the first leg of the tournament in United Arab Emirates.

Mumbai Indians have several luminaries in their team, each one a legend in his own right. While the retired Sachin Tendulkar is the team's icon, Mumbai Indians recently roped in former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting as a consultant. While former New Zealand skipper and Team India coach John Wright is the team's chief coach, South African Jonty Rhodes and former India skipper Anil Kumble are also part of the team management. Such a heavyweight non-playing line-up has not been of great help to the team, feels Jones.

Speaking to NDTV after Mumbai lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 15 runs on Wednesday, Jones said: "Are the players worried about so many legends around them that they are afraid to take their own decisions on the field? It's great to have leadership, Sachin, Ponting, Wright ... all the greats are there, but is it too much?"

Jones feels the players on the field are clearly afraid to defy what the greats think from outside the ground and that's what making Mumbai one of the worst teams of all times. "Mumbai have made the worst start ever of all times and getting closer to being the worst team. If I had said that Mumbai would lose their first five, you did say that I am on drugs," Jones said tongue-in-cheek.

The former Australian batsman feels the Mumbai Indians dressing room needed to show better team spirit. Kieron Pollard refusing a second run with Ambati Rayudu and then throwing his bat in disgust was a clear sign of turmoil. "When players don't talk and work together as a team, it's very worrying. Mumbai can be in trouble because the best teams don't behave like this," said Jones.

Jones said Wednesday's win will help Sunrisers regain their confidence. "They have to win six out of their last nine to make the playoffs and their confidence will be high. The attitude is better and Sunrisers have a good chance to come back into the tournament," the Aussie said.