Mumbai Indians have so far had a questionable journey where they started their campaign with four consecutive defeats and more importantly, the team lacks the much-necessary sting of ascendancy that defines the fate of a campaign.
One major problem for the Indians is that they went all out for Ishan Kishan and Jofra Archer at the auction. The wicket-keeping batter was their most expensive buy of the season and has actually returned modest figures going by the high standards that he has set for himself. Jofra Archer, on the contrary, is unavailable for the entire season of IPL 2022 and will be joining the team in 2023.
These are challenging circumstances and have begged multiple questions what exactly was the strategy for 2022 before breaking the bank on the English pacer? The answer is still missing.
It is quite obvious that Mumbai Indians were relying heavily on the likes of Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan to deliver with the bat that was going to be followed by Suryakumar Yadav.
Much to their dismay, Rohit is still to conjure a big knock that he is usually known for and that has opened up a massive void, leaving the five-time champions in total disarray. As we talk about the woeful start to Mumbai’s campaign, let us take a look at the three players that Mumbai Indians have been missing the most in the ongoing season.
3 Better Captaincy Options For CSK Than Ravindra Jadeja
#1 Quinton de Kock
The South African was allowed to let go just ahead of the season. Sadly, for the Indians, they didn’t have a backup. They also allowed Chris Lynn to depart and were hoping for Ishan Kishan to plug the gap. Now the expectations from Ishan Kishan were massive, and the wicket-keeping batter has failed to live up to the heightened billing that has been strapped on him.
This is exactly where an experienced moniker like Quinton de Kock could have made an ocean of difference. The sturdy striker of the ball that de Kock is, he is also a seasoned campaigner and is well-versed with the nitty-gritties of T20 cricket. Being the shortest format of the game, it is not just striking insanely that delivers you to a set total but it is the subtle changes that need to be executed. You can probably replace the talent at the top of the pecking order but replacing experience is never an option.
#2 Rahul Chahar
Mumbai Indians bowlers have failed terribly in IPL 2022 so far and have been one of the most glaring concerns for the management of Men in Blue. They have literally bled in the powerplay and the slog overs with their primary hope of a turnaround, Jasprit Bumrah getting hammered left, right and center.
IPL 2022: Here’s Why Dewald Brevis Is A Very Very Special Player
The leg-spinner, on the contrary, has already started pulling the strings of destruction in the colours of Punjab Kings and has been in terrific form as he has been exceptionally economical and has also managed to scalp crucial wickets at the face of pressure. This is exactly what makes Rahul Chahar a dangerous man and somehow, Mumbai didn’t seem too interested in this exciting leggie and now they are paying a price.
#3 Trent Boult
It goes without a saying, that Trent Boult is a beast of the shortest format of the game. He should have been retained in the first place instead of even chasing him at the auction. A man who can make the ball drift by a proverbial mile and mixes it menacingly with speeds of 140 plus clicks regularly, it becomes a living nightmare for any batter facing him.
He is an absolute gem in the death overs as he houses the capacity to hit the toe of the batter with clinical accuracy, leaving them stranded in unwanted territory. If you need a highlight of how good the Kiwi quick is, the wicket of KL Rahul would be the archetypal example of the menace that Boult brings along with himself. Alas, Mumbai thought that Daniel Sams is a better bowler than Trent Boult.
