IPL 2023: Key Strengths and Weakness for Mumbai Indians (MI)
Presence of star match winners, the highlight as we look at the strengths and weaknesses of Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2023.
It’s been one match into IPL 2023, and the most successful franchise in the history of IPL, Mumbai Indians have begun the IPL on a negative note. Not that this is the first time as they have not won the first match of the competition since 2013 now. But this time it feels different as the team that they have isn’t a strong one.
The team is already without their two star pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Jhye Richardson. Add to that, they didn’t manage to build a strong squad and there are players who are out of form including their captain, Rohit Sharma. With such a squad, Mumbai Indians signal only red instead of green.
However, ignoring all these stats, there is still hope that the Mumbai Indians team and fans that strive upon. So, let’s analyze the team squad, and find out the strengths and weaknesses of Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2023. Before that, let’s quickly skim through the updated squad and payers list for Mumbai Indians for IPL 2023.
Mumbai Indians Updated Squad for IPL 2023:
Overseas:
Dewald Brevis (o), Tim David (o), Tristan Stubbs (o&wk), Cameron Green (o), Duan Jansen (o), Jason Behrendorff (o), Jofra Archer (o), Riley Meredith (o)
Indian:
Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma. Ishan Kishan (wk), Vishnu Vinod (wk). Arjun Tendulkar, Arshad Khan, Hrithik Shokeen, Nehal Wadhera, Ramandeep Singh, Shams Mulani. Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Raghav Goyal, Sandeep Warrier.
Weaknesses:
#1: Lack of Quality Bowling
If we look at the current bowling line-up of Mumbai Indians, there is only one name that you can rely on, and that is Jofra Archer. Except for Archer and kind of Jason Behrendorff, there is plenty of inexperience there. Such is the state of Mumbai Indians that they have to rely on bowlers like Arshad Khan, Hrithik Shokeen, Piyush Chawla, and Cameroon Green to complete their 20 overs. This can be make or break for any team as you need a good bowling lineup to win tournaments.
#2: No Good All-rounders
If we observe the current squad of Mumbai Indians, Cameron Green seems to be the only proper all-rounder in the squad, who can bat and bowl well. Barring him, all they have is part-time all-rounders, who are only good in one area. For example, Hrithik Shokeen is good at bowling, but decent at batting. Arshad Khan and Nehal Wadhera are still young and yet to prove. Whereas Tilak Varma and Tim David are more of part-time bowling options.
#3: Reliance on Young and Inexperienced Players
Be it MI’s squad or their first-choice playing 11, it is filled with young and inexperienced players. Observing their first match playing 11, MI had the likes of Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Arshad Khan, and Hrithik Shokeen. Except for Tilak Varma, who has been good, MI has four players, who are still inexperienced and young. Theirs is the only team that has so many such players, and it may come to haunt them later in the tournament.
Strengths:
#1: Presence of Star Match Winners
Of all the weaknesses that Mumbai Indians have, the presence of star players seems to be their only strength. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, and Jofra Archer are all match-winners. They can win matches on their own. All Mumbai Indians need is three of these six players to do well every match. If they can do that, MI can somewhat overcome the weakness that they have.
Overall, Mumbai Indians will find it tough seeing their playing 11. Their chances to qualify would depend on how they play at home. Wankhede is their den, and if their pace bowling comes good without Bumrah, that would be their best chance. Nevertheless, let’s look at the best first-choice playing 11 for Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2023.
IPL 2023 – Mumbai Indians (MI) Best Playing 11 while Batting First
Rohit Sharma [c], Ishan Kishan [wk], Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Arshad Khan, Hrithik Shokeen, Piyush Chawla & Jofra Archer
IPL 2023 – Mumbai Indians (MI) Best Playing 11 while Bowling First
Rohit Sharma [c], Ishan Kishan [wk], Cameron Green, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Arshad Khan, Hrithik Shokeen, Piyush Chawla, Jofra Archer & Jason Behrendorff
Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the strengths and weaknesses of Mumbai Indians for IPL 2023? Please email your thoughts to cric8fanatic@gmail.com
ALSO READ: IPL 2023: All 10 Teams Latest Updated Squad and Players List
