3 glaring issues with the MI squad that might be exposed

The Mumbai Indians (MI) were always anticipated to struggle in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction since retention regulations required them to surrender the majority of their fantastic T20 team.

While MI re-signed Ishan Kishan and signed England bowler Jofra Archer, they are clearly a weaker team than last year. They have the capacity to create a dominant team in the future cycle, but three significant flaws might put an end to their IPL dynasty.

MI’s squad for IPL 2022: Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Ishan Kishan, Dewald Brevis, Basil Thampi, M Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande, N Tilak Varma, Sanjay Yadav, Jofra Archer, Daniel Sams, Tymal Mills, Tim David, Riley Meredith, Mohammad Arshad Khan, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Rahul Buddhi, Hrithik Shokeen, Arjun Tendulkar, Fabian Allen, Aryan Juyal

Here are three glaring issues with the MI squad for IPL 2022 that might be exposed down the line.

1. MI’s spinners and Indian pacers are distinctly sub-par

MI’s finest players in IPL 2021 were Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya, but the club failed to qualify for the playoffs despite winning back-to-back titles. In the little opportunities he had, neither was Jayant Yadav. The three, on the other hand, were instrumental in MI’s title-winning seasons of 2019 and 2020.

MI’s spin attack has taken significant damage heading into the 2022 IPL season. Murugan Ashwin, Mayank Markande, Sanjay Yadav, and Fabian Allen are the core members, and none of them has yet to light up the IPL.

Quality is likewise lacking in the Indian pace department. In the IPL, MI’s two biggest names in the category, Jaydev Unadkat and Basil Thampi have both leaked runs. 

2. MI are massively reliant on their overseas players

Daniel Sams, Kieron Pollard, Tymal Mills, and Tim David are set to make up MI’s starting XI. Because they play distinct positions for which MI has no acceptable alternatives, the squad will heavily rely on these four players to deliver.

While Pollard is MI’s sole available finisher, David is the only middle-order hitter capable of attacking the opponent at any point in the game. Riley Meredith is Mills’ backup, but he’s a superior death-overs choice with more variants under his belt. Finally, Sams is MI’s sole true all-rounder, and he doesn’t have a particularly good IPL track record.

If Fabian Allen and Dewald Brevis make the starting XI, they will be handed vital duties that they may not be prepared to play. MI’s seven overseas players will have to do a lot of the heavy work for the team now that Archer is out of the IPL 2022 without a replacement.

MI doesn’t have IPL-tested all-rounders

As previously said, MI is severely lacking in great all-rounders who have thrived in the IPL. The five-time winners can only boast of Sams as a legitimate option after having the Pandya brothers last year.

Pollard no longer bowls regularly, while Allen and Yadav are left-arm spinners who have combined to play four IPL matches. Brevis and Varma, if they reach the starting XI, are young players who won’t be able to play as genuine all-rounders right away. Sams played well for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, but he doesn’t have a very impressive IPL resume.

MI may struggle to find a lower-middle order that does not need them to compromise one of the two departments, which might cost them in IPL 2022.