Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma said that the franchise will decide on injured pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement for the IPL 2023 in a couple of days and said that the fast bowler will be a huge miss.
Bumrah has been out of action since July last year when he suffered stress reaction to his back during England ODIs and missed the Asia Cup 2022. He did comeback for two T20Is against Australia in September, but felt uneasiness in his back and as a result, missed the T20 World Cup 2022.
As a result of his back issues, Bumrah was advised surgery and he got the procedure performed in New Zealand and has been rehabbing and recovering from the same. The BCCI and selectors reportedly do not want to take a chance with the pacer again and want him to be fully fit for ODI World cup 2023 later this year.
"Regarding Bumrah's replacement, we've been discussing a few options. Hopefully, we can close it down in the next couple of days and then we see how we will go about it. We have been talking about Bumrah. He is a big miss. Jasprit Bumrah's role was quite important for Mumbai Indians, it's a big shoe to fill. But it gives...an opportunity to the youngsters in the team to showcase their talent. We have a couple of guys who have been with this team for the last few years. They are very much ready to take the centrestage and hopefully (we) can blood in some youngsters," Rohit said in the pre-season press conference.
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However, he said that the franchise is delighted to have a fully fit Jofra Archer for the entire IPL 2023. Archer was bought by MI for INR 8 crores in IPL 2022 auction, despite him not being able to play that year due to his own back injury.
"Jofra was always part of this team. Last year, he was, but was injured. We all know the quality he has. But we will sadly miss Bumrah this season. But again, a lot of opportunities are up for grabs, and if someone's missing out, then someone can fill in that place," the MI skipper said.
Rohit Sharma talked about Arjun Tendulkar as well and said: "Arjun is playing good cricket in recent times. He was injured but today he will start bowling. Arjun has been playing good cricket for some time. He is bowling well, we are thinking that he will be in the playing XI this year.”
Meanwhile, MI coach Mark Boucher said that if Rohit Sharma asks for a rest in the tournament, he could be rested for a couple of games.
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On the other hand, Rohit Sharma talked about the rule changes that will be brought into IPL and shared his thoughts on the impact player ruling.
“I don’t know whether it will impact an all-rounder because an all-rounder will always be an all-rounder. No matter at what stage in the game, you have an option of bowling him at any time, or making it bat at any time. With that player, you can always fill that gap, maybe play him as the fifth or the sixth bowler or an extra batter.
In the hindsight you can say that but you still want to put your best players on the park there might be a slight difference to it, but I do not think it is going to impact so much, in terms of having an all-rounder in your team or not,” Sharma said.
MI's opening game will be an away fixture on April 2 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
(PTI inputs)
