IPL 2022: 5 Strategical mistakes by Mumbai Indians this season

Mumbai Indians have lost all five matches this season and it has been a horrific beginning for the five-time champions who are known for their slow starts. A formidable all-round side over the years, MI has looked like a pale shadow of itself in the ongoing edition. They will need several things to fall in place if they are to arrest the slide and restore their campaign. Apart from their batters’ inability to go big, the below-par performance by the bowlers has made things hard for them. The road to redemption looks difficult. They are placed last on the points table. But, skipper Rohit Sharma would be eager to turn the tables around, not just for the team but for himself, too. Here are 5 Strategical mistakes made by Mumbai Indians 1- Going for Jofra Archer Jofra Archer. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Based purely on a leap of faith, Mumbai Indians paid a whopping INR 8 crores for Jofra Archer despite his unavailability this season due to an elbow injury. This was done only in hopes of him forming an intimidating partnership with Jasprit Bumrah. However, it is well known that Archer is a match-winning bowler. He can turn the tables of any match single-handedly with his fearsome bowling. But due to his injury, he won’t be able to take part in this season. MI can’t have his injury replacement either as they took a gamble on him despite knowing of his injury in advance. In place of Archer, MI could have gone with any other top-class bowlers that were available as it would have given their bowling a huge boost. Lacking a second potent striking bowler besides Bumrah is taking a toll on their bowling line-up. 2- Dropping Tim David from the playing XI Tim David. (Photo Source: Tim David/Instagram) The Singaporean cricketer, Tim David is the second most expensive buy for Mumbai Indians this season at a whopping price of INR 8.25 crores. As we all know, he is a fiery batter and has made his reputation as one of the best finishers in the game. David was bought due to his hard-hitting skills. He has a lot of experience when it comes to T20 leagues as he has played a lot of matches for different franchises in different leagues all over the world. However, MI dropped him from the team just after playing two matches. Dewald Brevis took his position. This might be a strategic mistake on MI’s part. He has a lot more experience and his hitting skills might be better than that of the young South African in long run. He can provide MI’s batting a solid support in the lower middle order. 3- Not giving a chance to Fabian Allen Fabian Allen. (Photo Source: Abu Dhabi T10) Fabian Allen was bought by Mumbai Indians at the mega auction. He has previously represented the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Punjab Kings in the IPL. Despite the fact, that Allen is an accomplished player, he hasn’t received consistent opportunities from his last two IPL teams. The Caribbean star is a talented and proficient all-rounder as he can bowl economical overs, besides chipping in with a few wickets. Allen can also contribute some quick runs with the willow in the slog overs. However, he has still not been given a single chance by MI in the five matches played. That might be considered a strategic mistake on MI’s part. He is a plus point for the team as he can provide strength to their bowling attack as well as score some important runs for the team. 4- Not playing with enough full-time specialist bowlers Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo Source: Twitter/Indian Premier League) Mumbai Indians have always been a strong bowling side with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Adam Milne, etc. having been a part of their team. Their bowling line-up has played a big part in them winning the titles five times. However, in this auction, Mumbai has not focused much on its bowling line-up. Releasing their top bowlers like Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Rahul Chahar, etc. might be a mistake on MI’s part. Due to this, their bowling line-up has been affected and that too in a negative way. Their bowling line-up looks frail besides Jasprit Bumrah who is looking like a lone warrior in their team. This connects to the fact that MI went for Jofra Archer despite his injury and unavailability. Instead of him, they could have gone with any other top bowlers available. It would have provided solid support to the bowling line-up. Due to the scarcity of a second potent strike bowler besides Bumrah, the team can’t play with full-time genuine bowlers and is looking frail. 5- Not retaining Hardik Pandya Hardik Pandya. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Hardik Pandya has been the most important player for Mumbai Indians for the past few years. He has remained with Mumbai Indians since he made his debut in 2015. His hit-every-ball attitude and medium-fast bowling make him a key player for the team, and he has delivered on several occasions. However, MI chose to release him this season and retain Suryakumar Yadav in his place. This might be a mistake on MI’s part, strategically. He was a key player for the team and provided solid support to the lower-middle order batting as well as in the bowling line-up. Releasing him has created a cavity in the lower-middle batting order. The other batters have failed to take his place and provide support at the lower order yet. As a result, the depth in their batting line-up has shortened, and they are failing to put up a good total on the scoreboard.

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IPL 2022: 5 Strategical mistakes by Mumbai Indians this season

MI have lost all their five games so far.

5- Not retaining Hardik Pandya

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