The IPL 2022 was the lowest of lows for the Mumbai Indians who finished last in the 10-team competition with just 4 wins in 14 matches after they had lost all of their first 8 games, struggling to find their best combination and the best playing eleven players.
But, the greatest characteristic of the five-time champions has been their bounce back ability. The Rohit Sharma-led side has a record five titles to its name; the franchise is quick to learn from its mistakes, address its shortcomings and come back stronger.
For that, now, they will need to make some hard decisions of releasing players ahead of the IPL 2023 auction next year.
Here are 3 players who MI should release:
Although known as one of the best death bowlers in England, Tymal Mills’ return after his injury in the T20 World Cup last year has been far from his reputation as a T20 specialist. In the IPL 2022, Mills proved to be the most expensive MI bowler of all those who sent down at least 5 overs, leaking runs at 11.17 per over in the 5 games he played in.
The arrival of Jofra Archer will obviously then make Mills’ place in the eleven unlikely, so MI could instead get an experienced Indian pacer.
A champion red-ball domestic seamer, however, Jaydev Unadkat has been disappointing in the IPL since 2018, despite having a sensational season in 2017. In four of the last 5 IPL seasons, Unadkat has conceded at over 9 an over. This year, he went for 9.5 in 5 matches, while also failing to defend 16 runs off 4 balls against a 41-year-old MS Dhoni.
Mumbai had earlier made the bold choice of retaining Kieron Pollard, who has been with them since 2010, instead of Trent Boult. Pollard had a forgettable season, though, managing 144 runs in 11 matches at a poor strike rate of 107, eventually being dropped in the last few games as Tim David rosed to the occasion to signal his arrival in the IPL.
It’s going to be a difficult decision for Mumbai Indians to let go of their veteran who have helped them in all their five title wins. But, the decision-makers would know it’d be the right decision; or MI could buy him back for less than the 6 crore they retained him for.
