Mumbai Indians (MI) have had a rocky start to their Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) campaign. Rohit Sharma and Co. have lost all their four games so far in the tournament. While Mumbai are known to be slow-starters, what has struck is that they have lacked the intent.
The five-time IPL champions, over the years, have banked on their core group of players which have remained the same. But with the retention policy where a team can only retain four players, including overseas cricketers, the Mumbai franchise had to let go of many of their main players.
In return, they looked sluggish at the IPL 2022 mega auction earlier this year and didn’t do good business which has already haunted him.
3 players Mumbai Indians are missing in IPL 2022 from last season
3. Trent Boult
The New Zealand fast bowler is a match-winner in real terms. His four overs in a T20 game are a nightmare to the opposition teams. Trent Boult can bowl at an express pace, swing the ball both ways, and can pick wickets with the new ball. Besides, he is also more than handy in the death overs.
He and Jasprit Bumrah forged a vicious alliance in the last couple of seasons for Mumbai Indians. In the last season, Boult scalped 13 wickets from 14 outings at an economy of 7.90 runs per over. However, Mumbai decided not to retain him and was eventually roped in by Rajasthan Royals.
The Mumbai franchise has failed to sign an apt replacement for the 31-year-old fast bowler. Hence, they have struggled to pick up wickets with the new ball. Besides, Jasprit Bumrah not in the best of form has also had a dent in their performances so far in the season.
2. Rahul Chahar
Young leg-spinner Rahul Chahar made a reputation for himself plying trade for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He had a good stint in IPL 2021, returning with 13 wickets in 11 games at an economy rate of 7.39 runs per over. While Mumbai didn’t make it to the playoffs, Rahul impressed one and all.
On the back of his superlative run, Chahar even made it to India’s T20 World Cup 2021 squad last year. Much to everyone’s surprise, Mumbai didn’t persist to sign the young leg-spinner. Punjab Kings eventually roped Chahar for INR 5.25 crores.
Chahar has been leading the Punjab spin unit and has been in extraordinary form. He has already scalped seven wickets in four matches at an economy of 6.31 runs per over. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have Murugan Ashwin and Mayank Markande in their ranks but they haven’t managed to create any impact as of yet.
#1. Hardik Pandya
With the retention policies in place, Mumbai Indians had to let go of their maverick all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Since his debut in 2015, the cricketer from Baroda has been an integral part of the squad, chipping in with both bat and ball.
Known for his self-belief, Pandya has bulldozed any bowling unit. Besides, he is also more than handy with the ball, bowling gentle medium pace. Although he didn’t had the best of outings in IPL 2021, Hardik’s presence had a massive impact on the side. Besides, he was also part of the leadership group.
Not retained by Mumbai Indians, debutants Gujarat Titans roped him in the pre-draft and appointed him as their captain. He has had decent outings so far and has looked in rhythm with both bat and ball. However, Mumbai didn’t find an ideal replacement for Hardik Pandya. Although they roped in Tim David, the Singapore-based cricketer has failed to make a mark in the competition.
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