Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer reckons Mumbai Indians have a really weak bowling attack despite the presence of Jasprit Bumrah.
MI has foreign fast bowlers like Daniel Sams and Tymal Mills but they haven’t been able to get going for the five-time champions.
Sams was taken apart by Pat Cummins as he leaked 35 runs in the 16th over he bowled. The left-arm pacer failed to execute his line and length and he was put under immense pressure by his compatriot. Furthermore, Tymal Mills was expensive in his spell as he conceded 38 runs in his three overs.
Basil Thampi also doesn’t have a lot of experience and he has been expensive overall as he has conceded his runs at an economy of 9.50.
Meanwhile, Murugan Ashwin has done a decent job thus far for MI as the leg-spinner has scalped four wickets in three matches and he has conceded his runs at an economy rate of 7.10. On the other hand, Bumrah has taken three wickets in as many matches and his economy rate is 8.32.
MI had KKR in trouble as they were 101-5 after 13.1 overs while chasing 162 runs. However, Pat Cummins obliterated MI’s bowling line-up as he scored 15-ball 56 to get his team over the line.
Wasim Jaffer said while talking to ESPN Cricinfo, “This is a really weak MI bowling attack in spite of Bumrah. There’s only Jaydev Unadkat to come in. Even on the bench, they don’t have any quality, be it the pace department or the spin bowlers.”
On the other hand, MI had spent a whopping amount of INR 8 crores on Jofra Archer despite knowing he won’t be available to play this season due to injury. Former MI opening batter Chris Lynn questioned the franchise’s approach in the mega auction.
Lynn said, “Very interesting that you are paying for a guy that isn’t there. You’ve got to be in the moment right now, not look at what the team needs in 12 months’ time. You cannot control what happens. Archer could be injured again next year.”
Meanwhile, MI captain Rohit Sharma is struggling to get going in IPL 2022 as he has failed to provide good starts to his team. Rohit was dismissed for only thee runs by Umesh Yadav after facing 12 balls.
Jaffer added, “Rohit is not looking in the best of form. The rhythm is missing. Not just Mumbai, the Indian selectors would be worried that they are not seeing the best of Rohit.”
The former domestic giant suggested that Rohit can bat at one down while Dewald Brevis can open the innings with Ishan Kishan.
“Probably Rohit can bat at 3, (Dewald) Brevis can open. They just need that start. With a weak bowling, they need 20 runs extra.”
Mumbai Indians will play their next match of the season against Rajasthan Royals at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.
