What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians purchased 21 players during the two-day Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction and revamped their squad. A lot of star performers of the last few seasons for Mumbai are missing this time. Instead, the franchise has reposed their faith in a host of young cricketers.
Here is the SWOT analysis of the franchise:
Strengths
Mumbai retained captain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard ahead of the auctions. These four players, along with Ishan Kishan — who was purchased for Rs 15.25 crore — form the core group of the team. All of them have performed brilliantly for Mumbai in the last few years and share a terrific rapport with each other.
Suryakumar has been in excellent form for India, both in the T20s and the ODIs. His confidence is sky-high and Mumbai will rely heavily on him to hold together the middle-order. Rohit’s captaincy record is excellent and his tactical nous is creditable. He has the knack of nurturing young cricketers and enjoys the unstinted support from his players. In Kieron Pollard, Mumbai have a reliable and explosive all-rounder who wins at least three or four matches on his own every season.
Ishan is riding high on success as well and is a perfect foil as an opener for Rohit.
Weaknesses
The biggest chink in Mumbai’s armour is their flaccid bowling. The bowling attack is heavily reliant on Jasprit Bumrah, and at present there is no one else in sight in the squad who can give opposition batsmen’s sleepless nights. English pacer Tymal Mills is a fine prospect as he smartly varies his pace and can bowl yorkers.
Not long ago, Mumbai’s bowling attack consisted of Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, Trent Boult and Rahul Chahar. Out of them, Malinga has retired, while left-arm seamer Boult and leg-spinner Chahar were released ahead of the auction. Mumbai have purchased left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat as a replacement for Boult but there is a vast difference between their pedigree and repertoire.
Spinners such as Murugan Ashwin and Mayank Markande will also have to step up to the plate if Mumbai were to leave a mark in the tournament. Their batting also seems top heavy with Rohit, Ishan and Suryakumar. The youngsters will have to come good and fill the middle-order vacuum.
Opportunities
Over the years, Mumbai has picked up many prodigiously talented youngsters and nurtured them. This time, Mumbai have placed their bets on flamboyant Tim David and South Africa’s U-19 star Dewald Brevis. Both of them have the reputation of being big hitters and are expected to earn their spurs.
N Tilak Varma, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Rahul Buddhi, Hrithik Shokeen and Aryan Juyal are the youngsters from India who might get chances to demonstrate their wares. Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun is also a part of the squad.
Mumbai will be hoping that at least a couple of players among youngsters grab the opportunities and become stars.
Threats
Mumbai Indians received a jolt before the tournament as Jofra Archer was ruled out due to injury. Bumrah and Rohit have been constantly playing for India in the recent past and the fortunes of the team are hinging on them. The team can’t afford another injury to a prominent player especially because there are only a handful experienced performers in the squad.
