The Mumbai Indians (MI) have had a poor start to the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, and former Indian batter, Virender Sehwag, has a crucial suggestion for the five-time IPL champions to make a comeback in the tournament before it’s too late.
The Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians lost all three matches they have played so far in the ongoing IPL 2022, and they are languishing at the ninth position on the points table.
Mi’s poor performance shows that they are lacking a genuine top bowler to pair with Jasprit Bumrah, as this season they don’t have Trent Boult and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Reacting to MI’s struggles in the ongoing IPL 2022, Virender Sehwag suggested that the franchise should make their batters work hard to support their weak bowling attack or pair up Jaydev Unadkat with Bumrah to have some quality in the bowling attack in the ongoing T20 league.
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MI have tried Daniel Sams, Tymal Mills, and Basil Thampi so far, but the formula didn’t work, and the former opener pointed out that the five-time IPL champions have only inexperienced bowlers in their ranks, so there is the only option but Unadkat to partner with Bumrah to make any impact in the ongoing IPL 15.
Sehwag said on Cricbuzz: “Until last year, MI had someone like a Nathan Coulter-Nile, who would play if a pacer wasn't performing well or was injured. If you look at MI's bench strength now, it's like the management will think twice to include those sitting out of the XI.”
He continued, “The likes of Mayank Markande, Jaydev Unadkat, Riley Meredith, and Arshad Khan are sitting out. Besides, even guys such as Sanjay Yadav, Arjun Tendulkar, Hrithik Shokeen, and others aren't the type of names who can replace Basil Thampi or Daniel Sams.”
On Unadkat, Sehwag noted: “Of them all, I think only Unadkat is the one, who has the experience and did well one season for Pune (Rising Pune Supergiants). He was sold for some 15-16 crore but even then, his next season wasn't that great. So he is the only one who looks potent enough to partner Bumrah.”
He signed off by saying, “Barring him, there aren't too many others. MI doesn't have a bowler who can bowl three overs in the Powerplay and they can't afford to make Bumrah bowl three overs. MI's bowling stocks appear weak so their batters need to work hard this time around.”
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
