Indian Premier League (IPL) 16 edition is around the corner. Gujarat Titans are the defending champions in IPL 2023. Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said that Mumbai Indians have the best combination of world-class pacers in terms of quality, Mumbai-based franchise has Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer in their lineup for the upcoming Indian T20 league.
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh on Mumbai Indian bowling attack ahead of IPL 2023:
“Neither has played much cricket of late and that’s the one thing I am worried about, In terms of their quality, I don’t think any team has such a combination of world-class pacers like Bumrah and Archer. Even if you have just 20 runs to defend off four overs, you may still think you’re in the game with such bowlers,” said bowling all-rounder Harbhajan.
The Rohit Sharma-led Indians had destructive camping in the last edition of IPL in 2022. They became the first team to knock out of the tournament after losing 10 games out of 14 matches in the season. The Mumbai-based club is the most successful team in the premium T20 league IPL with 5 title victories in 15 seasons.
“However, Bumrah hasn’t played competitive cricket for a while now and we don’t exactly know the issue with his back. Although Archer has started playing again, not sure how lethal he could be,” said off-spinner Harbhajan.
The 42-year-old Harbhajan played for Mumbai Indian for 10 straight years from 2008-18 with three title victories. He moved to the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2018 and clinched another trophy with the yellow team.
Left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan also expressed his view on the success of IPL over the years-
“The IPL has benefited Indian cricket in a way that nothing else has, there were so many cricketers like Amol Mazumdar, who used to score a truckload of runs in domestic cricket but never got a chance to play for India. But if you have 2-3 good seasons in the IPL, the selectors are likely to fast-track you,” said former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan.
It will be the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League with Gujarat Titans being the defending champions. It is the most attended cricket league in the World. The inaugural season of IPL began in 2008, and Rajasthan Royals was the opening season champion.
Mumbai Indians have won the title record 5 times with Chennai’s side on the second spot with their 4-time triumph in India’s T20 cricket league.