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Former India and Mumbai Indians (MI) spinner feels that Australian all-rounders Tim David and Cameron Green can fill in the shoes of Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya for the five-time champions in the upcoming season of Indian Premier League (IPL).
After mega auction, MI struggled with their team combination in absence of tearaway English pacer Jofra Archer. Pollard was not in the best of forms whereas Rohit missed services of Pandya brothers in the middle order. As a result, they ended up with just four wins from 14 games and finished at the bottom of IPL 2022 points table.
David showed some flashes of brilliance with his big-hitting whereas MI broke the bank for exciting Aussie all-rounder Green as they acquired his services for a whopping Rs 17.5 crore after an intense bidding war with Delhi Capitals (DC).
"Well, they (David and Green) will be successful if Tim David can do the same thing that Pollard was doing and whether Green can do what Hardik was doing,” Harbhajan told Star Sports.
"But yes, they do have the potential, but IPL is such a tournament that if you start to get going from day one, you will have a good season. If you don't get going, and you have to find that rhythm, it gets very difficult," he added.
David scored 186 runs from eight games at an average of 37.20. He scored at a stupendous strike rate of 216.28. The 27-year-old was in fine form for Mohammad Rizwan-led Multan Sultans in recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023.
Green, on the other hand, impressed many with two half-centuries on Indian soil in the absence of David Warner. The 23-year-old also hit his maiden Test century in Ahmedabad Test.
MI will start their IPL 2023 campaign against Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 2.
Ahead of IPL 2023, MI have been dealt with two major blows. After fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, their Australian recruit Jhye Richardson has been ruled out of whole season as well. The franchise is yet to announce the replacement of two pacers. The only boost is that Archer will be available for whole season.
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