Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar worries about Mumbai Indian’s spin bowling department considering the turning pitches of the UAE in the upcoming IPL edition scheduled to begin from the 19th of September. He said that MI has a dearth of experienced spinners which is one of the weaknesses.
Mumbai Indians have Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya as two main spin bowlers in their squad. The other two are Anukul Roy and Jayant Yadav, who don’t have too much IPL experienced.
While talking to Sports Tak, Sunil Gavaskar highlighted that lack of options in spin bowling might hurt Mumbai Indians in the 13th edition of the league.
“Yes, you can say that because they do not have the experienced spinners that other sides have,” Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
Middle-order is the weakness of Mumbai Indians: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that Mumbai Indians didn’t have ceratin middle-order although they have too many options in hand. He said that Hardik Pandya will have to be promoted at number four although he is a lower-middle order batsman to fit in the combination.
“The other thing that can be a weakness is the middle order. They will have to think who will bat at No.4 and No.5 position. If Quinton de Kock plays, then he will open with either Rohit Sharma or Suryakumar Yadav,” Sunil Gavaskar said.
“Ishan Kishan might come in at No.4, he can also open the innings. Kieron Pollard can come in at No.5. Maybe Hardik Pandya can be promoted to No.4. But if that doesn’t happen then who will play at No.4?” he further added.
Mumbai Indians bought James Pattinson as the replacement of the veteran Lasith Malinga ahead of the tournament. The Sri Lankan star had opted out of the tournament citing personal reasons.