IPL 2018: 5 players who Mumbai Indians should axe

Mumbai Indians (MI) failed to defend their title once again as they were crashed out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a heartbreaking loss against the Delhi Daredevils (DD). While they only needed a victory to go through to the playoffs, the batting imploded against the leg-spinners and succumbed to the pressure while chasing a steep total. But they will be cursing the last over losses earlier in the season which they should’ve won and the performances of few of their gun players who never put their hands up when the team needed the most.

Moreover, the skipper Rohit Sharma could not lead from the front and it was the first time in the history of the IPL that he failed to score more than 300 runs. Even the likes of Kieron Pollard and the Pandyas never played in full flow which didn’t help the cause of the three-time champions. They would be eager to resurrect the issues soon and come back stronger next year to lay hands on the coveted trophy for the fourth time.

Here we bring you the 5 players who Mumbai should axe:

1. JP Duminy

JP Duminy was somewhat a mismatch in this line-up. He was never going to get an opportunity in the first XI and when he was included in the team, the left-hander had to bat at 7 or even at 8 sometimes. Only once he batted in the middle-order and failed to impress. It felt as if Duminy was in the team only to make up the numbers and sadly couldn’t play a significant role for his side. The franchise might drop him ahead of the next season and bring in a specialist bowler as they lacked in that department this year.

Duminy could score only 36 runs in four outings and more importantly failed to up the ante when he got the chance to bat up the order in a game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He also rolled his arms for a couple of overs in the same encounter. There is no place for him in the top of the order for him currently in the squad and he needs some time to get his eye in before tonking the ball. It is better for him as well to find a new team where he could be more useful.

2. Mustafizur Rahman

The biggest disappointment of the season for the defending champions would be Mustafizur Rahman. A lot was expected of him but he couldn’t reap rich rewards. Most of the last overs were bowled by him early in the season and the left-arm pacer failed to deliver in crunch situations. The losses in close encounters came back to haunt Mumbai in the end as they were kicked out of the tournament in the league stage itself.

Mustafizur played a handful of matches (7 to be precise) and could pick only 7 wickets. He also conceded runs at an economy of 8.36 which is decent enough for a fast bowler. But the fact that he failed to step up when the team needed his best effort, must have miffed the franchise. He is touted as one of the best death overs bowlers courtesy his deceptive slower balls. He even had a poor season with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) last year and was not retained by them this time around.

3. Akila Danajaya

Akila Dananjaya’s game-changing spell against India last year rejuvenated his career. He was also picked by Mumbai Indians this year in the auction just to make use of his mystery spin with the hope of surprising the oppositions at some stage during the tournament. But the move failed miserably as the Sri Lankan leaked 47 runs in the only game he featured in against the Delhi Daredevils (DD).

He was taken apart by the likes of Jason Roy and Rishabh Pant and failed to come out on top under immense pressure. He had a good opportunity to seal his place in the side with an impressive effort but the plans of the team were jeopardised with his failure. Akila was never included in the playing XI since then and the team had to make do only with Mayank Markande who played for them throughout the season.The franchise would be eager to include a decent spin-bowling option for the next season by dropping the Sri Lankan.

4. Pradeep Sangwan

Mumbai had bagged the services of Pradeep Sangwan by spending a whopping amount of Rs 1.5 Crore which was five times of his base price. But he too played only a solitary game like Dananjaya and didn’t even bowl his full quota of overs. The left-arm pacer was given only two overs in which he went on to leak 19 runs and didn’t look up to the mark. He was dropped from the side after the game and then carried the drinks for the remainder of the season.

It seems that they got it all wrong in the auction and could’ve invested in a better player. When they are shelling out a huge sum for a certain player, then he should play at least 7 matches out of 14 instead of warming the bench. It could be said that Sangwan was unlucky not to get enough opportunities but it looks unlikely that Mumbai will continue with him for the next season and it is no point keeping him on the bench when he can play a better role for other sides in the tournament.

5. Saurabh Tiwary

Saurabh Tiwary was yet another confusing buy from Mumbai franchise. The swashbuckling left-hander has won many games for them in the previous editions of the tournament but has tailed off in the recent past. His last innings for them was a 52-run knock against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last year still couldn’t make it to the playing XI for one game. It was hard to see such a talented cricketer on the bench and frankly, he has no place in the heavyweight top order of Mumbai side.

While Suryakumar Yadav has sealed his place at the top of the order with a heroic season, the likes of Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma walk into the side on any day. The franchise must release him next year so that he plays for some other team rather than carrying drinks the whole season.

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