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Mumbai Indians (MI) have been struggling in all departments of the game. But, it is their bowling which is hurting them the most. None of their pacers find themselves in the race for purple cap. Their leading wicket-taker is Afghanistan's AM Ghazanfar with eight wickets from five games. Among pacers, it is uncapped left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar with six wickets from two appearances. As MI for a fresh start to their campaign after a break, their former all-rounder Shaun Pollock has blamed pace trio Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur for Hardik Pandya-led side’s troubles.
“They’ve been let down by their three key bowling options – Boult, Thakur, and Chahar. They would have considered them bankers pre-season. The 11 they are playing now is very far from the one they would have picked right after the auction. That’s probably been the biggest surprise,” Pollock said.
Thakur has six wickets from as many games but his economy rate is 13.57 runs per over. Former Kiwi pacer Boult has played three games, taken one wicket and went for 12.22 runs per over. Chahar has got three opportunities as well. He conceded runs at 13.38 runs per over and remained wicketless in two games. They have released the pressure applied by Jasprit Bumrah. Even skipper Pandya’s economy rate is over 12 runs per over.
Pollock says MI have ‘too many options’
MI have plenty of options but in the previous game, none of them were in the original playing eleven. Even Thakur came as a concussion substitute for Mitchell Santner. He pointed out the same in the batting department as Ryan Rickelton has been warming the benches.
“It feels like they have too many options. And it’s been the case the last four or five years. If they make the playoffs, they can kick into gear with all the international and playoff experience. But for that to happen, they have to win this match first. The complication comes in for them because of the strength they have. It’s why Rickleton hasn’t played after de Kock scored that hundred,” the former South Africa captain said.
MI are currently placed ninth on the points table, just above Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) who have two wins to their name as well. They face an in-form Sunrisers Hyderabad )SRH) at home in a bid to revive their campaign.
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