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Barring their opening match against Chennai Super Kings, Jasprit Bumrah hasn’t bowled the first over for Mumbai Indians on most occasions this season. The idea has been to hold Bumrah back and unleash him once the batters begin maximising the powerplay. But the strategy hasn’t quite worked. Captain Hardik Pandya has faced criticism for the move, and in many ways, that has summed up the story of the five-time champions over the last six years or so.
Between 2013 and 2020, almost everything clicked for Mumbai Indians — captaincy, bowling, top and middle-order batting, fielding, and above all, harmony within the squad. But things began to change in 2021, when there was an indication from within the team that Hardik Pandya would no longer bowl regularly because of fitness concerns. The subsequent decision to let him go to Gujarat Titans altered the way Mumbai approached their T20 cricket altogether. Even two years later, Hardik Pandya returning to Mumbai Indians hasn’t really helped the franchise regain its old rhythm.
The team owners have been extremely patient and have done everything possible to keep the dressing-room harmony intact. But Mumbai Indians’s performances this season would surely have left a bitter taste for the management. Despite having top Indian stars like former captain Rohit Sharma and current India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, nothing really seemed to click for the five-time champions.
So, what’s the way out for Mumbai Indians? After being left behind and let down in this fashion, the franchise is expected to bounce back with a stronger squad and a few fresh faces. That, however, will require some bold decisions to fix the issues that have plagued the side over the last six years.
Mumbai may have to part ways with some of their big names and even explore trades to inject fresh energy and intent into the squad. If needed, they could also target some of the best performers from across the league to rebuild a team that was once synonymous with winning the IPL title every alternate year.
Some players in Mumbai Indians who have slipped into their comfort zones may need a serious shake-up, while the team’s internal dynamics and communication channels also need improvement. For instance, if Hardik Pandya misses a game or two to recover properly, it should not automatically be seen as a case of injury or poor form keeping him away from the playing XI.
And, at the end of it all, the IPL has evolved to such an extent that it is impacting the game in every possible way. Today’s top-order batters are expected to smash half-centuries within 15 to 20 balls, and any batter operating below a strike-rate of 200 is often labelled outdated. Even Virat Kohli had to reinvent his approach after retiring from T20 internationals — improving his strike-rate and playing more lofted shots than grounded ones to remain relevant in the format. That is exactly how Mumbai Indians need to raise their game and up the ante going forward. They can no longer depend on reputation alone.
