4 changes Mumbai Indians (MI) should make to change their fortunes in IPL 2021

While everyone predicted Mumbai Indians (MI) to have smooth sailing after the resumption of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL), the opposite has happened. The team lost three matches on the bounce and slipped to seventh on the table. But they managed to win against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and moved to fifth.

Also, this is the first time since the year 2018 that they endured a hat trick of defeats in an IPL season. But the good news is that there are quite a few teams, who are struggling at the bottom half of the points table.

The bad news is that MI’s run rate is on the negative side, and that might prove to be a hindrance for them during the business end when the other teams are jostling for a place to make it to the IPL playoffs in the UAE leg. But if any team can bounce back from this situation, then it is certainly MI.

The five-time IPL champions have done this previously and have players who can deliver when the going gets tough. Their next match is on Saturday (October 2) against Delhi Capitals (DC). DC are sitting pretty in the top-half of the points table. However, MI should not let their guard down and may make a few changes here and there.

Here are few changes MI can make on their playing XI against PBKS

1. Anukul Roy in place of Krunal Pandya

The senior of the two Pandya brothers, Krunal, has not been in his elements so far in this year’s IPL. He has largely been ineffective with the ball in hand and also not contributed with the bat for MI. Even a promotion up the order in the last game didn’t help him turn his fortunes with the bat in hand. His dwindling returns have also coincided with the MI’s dip in form.

The management has a similar kind of player in the form of Anukul Roy. The Jharkhand youngster has been with the MI team for the past two years or so but has only played a sole IPL game. With Krunal not performing up to the standards that are usually seen from him, Roy can come in as a replacement player.

He is a handy lower-order batter who can easily bowl his quota of four years. A lot has been spoken about the Jharkhand youngster’s talent in the domestic circuit. What better platform than IPL to remind MI of his all-around prowess.

2. Chris Lynn in place of Quinton de Kock

Australia hard-hitting batter Chris Lynn has not got the kind of opportunities with MI as he had got with his previous franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Lynn got to play only one game and he made an impression by scoring 49.

MI’s preferred choice for the opener’s slot is wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock. Over the past two years, the South African star player has scored 1283 runs for the franchise in 41 games.

His average too has been impressive at 34.67 but this year De Kock has not quite taken Mumbai off to a good start as often as he would liked to. With very little less time for a turnaround, MI can very well use the services of Lynn at the top and let Ishan Kishan keep wickets.

Lynn’s fearless striking at the top will allow captain Rohit Sharma to play the role of a sheet-anchor with precision. Also, MI may be able to score some quick runs in the powerplay, which might put pressure on the DC bowlers.

3. Marco Jansen in place of Adam Milne

Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje are putting on an absolute show on the lively UAE pitches for Delhi Capitals (DC). That should be enough to inspire the young South African pace Turk, Marco Jansen. The right-arm fast bowler has only played two games for MI and has picked two wickets at an impressive average of 22.5.

In one of the games during last year’s IPL, Rohit Sharma also entrusted the pacer to bowl the last over. So Jansen also knows what it is like when playing in crunch situations. With New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne blowing hot and cold, it will be a good move to try out Jansen.

He also is a handy lower-order batter. With Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya in the team, Jansen can also hope to provide the finishing touches with his lusty blows. Also, so far, the three pitches in the UAE has offered enough for the pacers.

And the South African bowler can hope to hit the hard lengths and get wickets upfront. No batter likes to face extreme pace as that rattles a world-class player. SRH’s David Warner felt the same against one hostile over from Nortje.

4. Kieron Pollard coming in early in the batting order

It is a long-standing debate and one that never refuses to die down. Should Kieron Pollard bat up the order to maximize his power-hitting during the closing stages of the innings? For over 10 years now MI have majorly used the hard-hitting West Indian all-rounder at number six or seven.

The management believes that is the best way to utilize Pollard’s abilities. Sometimes it has worked and the other times it has not worked. But with MI desperate for turning around their fortunes, it is a good time to use Pollard a bit up the order.

Hardik Pandya found his groove with his match-winning knock against PBKS. However, trying the hulk-like West Indian all-rounder higher up the order may also pay dividends for MI.