In this second part of our MI squad analysis series, we will discuss All-rounders, Spin Department, auction steals, playing 11 and more.

 

In the last article, we discussed how Mumbai Indians have gathered a lethal pace bowling attack. We also discussed how last year's team management's decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya didn't give the desired results and much more. In this second article, we will start with the All-rounder department.

 

There are four known all-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santhner, and Uncapped Naman Dhir. Since we can't take Will Jacks as a proper all-rounder, the question is, will Mitchell Santher play all the matches? Then, we are left with Hardik Pandya and one less-known domestic all-rounder, Naman Dhir, whom Mumbai bought at a multi-crore amount. In recent years, the team was once full of all-rounders like Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, and Tim David. Now MI is left with one all-rounder whom we can confidently say will play all the matches.

 

The crisis looms when you see who will play at no. 5,6 and 7 with Hardik Pandya, will he be Ryan Rickelston or Bevon Jacobs. With the Impact Player rule in the game, teams need to have proper batting until no. 7. Though the team has included overseas players, they are unproven in Indian conditions, and this leaves the middle order a bit hollow.

 

Where is the Indian Wicket Keeper?

 

The team has Ryan Rickelston, Robin Minz, and Shrijit Krishnan as wicketkeepers. Still, If Ryan doesn't perform well, who is your reliable backup, and will the team go ahead with an uncapped youngster?

The spin department disappoints, too.

The team has bought only two spinners, Allah Ghazanfar and Karn Sharma. Ghazanfar, a young 18-year-old Afghan spinner who has proven himself in the other T20 leagues, will have the support of Karn Sharma. But we haven't seen MI's spin bowling this low, where they only have an 18-year-old spinner who doesn't have any Indian experience and, on the other hand, Karn Sharma.

Auction Steals and which four overseas?

Will Jacks, the explosive batter, is undoubtedly one of the best steals MI found in the IPL auction. However, there might be some behind-the-scenes understanding with the RCB, as they didn't use their RTM card for Jacks. 

If we discuss about four overseas players in the playing 11, then Boult, Ghazanfar, and Will Jacks will likely play all the matches. The question remains for the fourth overseas player: Mitchell Santher, Ryan Rickelston, or both of them. Then, who else will leave?

 

With Mahela Jaywardhane back as head coach, the team will try to lift the trophy again. While the team is acceptable with some big names, an explosive top order, and lethal pace bowling, we can't call it a balanced team, and many of the questions still need to be answered.

 

The team's eleven, which we can see in the first match.

 

Will Jacks*

Rohit Sharma 

Surya Kumar Yadav

Tilak Verma 

Ryan Rickelston*

Hardik Pandya

Naman Dhir

Deepak Chahar 

Trent Boult*

Jasprit Bumrah

Allah Ghazanfar*

Karn Sharma(Impact Player)

 

*Overseas Player