Mumbai Indians. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) are struggling to showcase their best in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. So far, they have played two games in the tournament, losing both by a comprehensive margin. In their opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, they got outclassed by the home team in all three departments.
After facing a humiliating defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers, Mumbai were looking to open their account against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium. However, the Yellow Army dominated the hosts throughout the match and went back with a spectacular seven-wicket triumph.
Their next contest will be against David Warner-led Delhi Capitals (DC) who, too, are desperately looking for their first win in the tournament. Ahead of their third contest, the Men in Blue and Golden will look to work on their shortcomings and fetch an amazing victory at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Here are three changes MI should make before their next clash:
1. Riley Meredith in for Jason Behrendorff
Australia pacer Jason Behrendorff hasn’t performed according to his potential, failing to contribute to his team so far in the tournament. Against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), he looked horrendous with the ball, splurging 37 runs in his three-over spell at an expensive economy of 12.33. The speedster also went wicketless in the match.
In the second match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he dismissed dangerous Devon Conway in his first over and gave a perfect start to his team. However, he couldn’t continue his aggressive bowling as other CSK batters showed a fearless approach and subdued him. Talking about his overall numbers in the first couple of games for Mumbai, the Aussie quick has taken only one wicket at a terrible economy of 10.17.
Going by these numbers, we might see the fast bowler getting dropped by the MI management, who might replace him with his compatriot Riley Meredith. Meredith has featured in 13 IPL games and has bagged 12 wickets. In Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), he has been a vital cog in Hobart Hurricanes on account of his fierce bowling. With his ability to clock over 140 km/h consistently, he could wreak havoc for MI on opponents.
2. Dewald Brevis in for Cameron Green
Dewald Brevis. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Ahead of the IPL auction, all eyes were on Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who became the second-most expensive player in the history of the league. Considering his all-round potential, MI included him in their 2023 IPL squad for INR 17.50 crore, but, he hasn’t been able to justify his sum so far in the tournament.
Scoring just 17 runs in two matches at a poor strike rate of 113.33, he has been a failure with the bat. Talking about his bowling display, the 23-year-old has picked up only one wicket at an extremely high economy of 10.00. Witnessing his underperformance, MI could trust Dewald Brevis, who has the ability to reinforce MI’s batting line-up with his spunky batting attitude.
The 19-year-old Brevis has proven his mettle in Under-19 cricket and South Africa’s domestic circuit. The youngster has been a part of the MI squad since the last year and played a few decent knocks in the 2022 edition of the IPL.
1. Arjun Tendulkar in for Arshad Khan
Arjun Tendulkar. (Photo Source: BCCI Domestic)
Noting their left-arm pacer Ashad Khan’s performance in the competition, MI might give a chance to Arjun Tendulkar who had earlier performed excellently for his domestic sides Mumbai and Goa. The 25-year-old Khan has performed disastrously by picking up only one wicket in two matches at an economy of 14.00.
On the other hand, Arjun has fetched 12 wickets in the domestic T20 circuit at an economy of 6.60. In his last major T20 tournament, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the 23-year-old scalped 10 wickets for his team Goa in seven games at an economy of 5.69, with the best figures of 4/10.
These impressive bowling numbers and the indisciplined bowling of Arshad could help Arjun don an MI jersey and make his debut in the cash-rich league. The 23-year-old has been a part of the MI camp since 2021 but hasn’t so far got a chance to feature in the playing XI even once.