Many overseas players didn’t perform well this year. It’s time to move three of them.
Mumbai Indians looked like a settled side at the start of this year’s tournament. But as India Premier League (IPL) action progressed, weak links got exposed and Indians managed only six wins in 14 matches.
Many players performed well, though. As many as six Indians’ batsmen scored more than 200 runs, next only to Kolkata’s seven. And the team took 92 wickets, the most in the league stage.
What was the problem, then? Only two overseas players performed decently.
That’s why it’s time to move some of those players. Here’s who.
Kieron Pollard plays a shot against Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on 22 April 2018. (Photo By Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
Kieron Pollard: Pollard has been out of form, his performance this year not close to the standards he set previously. Barring the 23-ball 50 against Kings XI Punjab, he made only 83 runs off 77 deliveries, i.e. at a strike of 107.79, in the other seven innings. Mumbai management took the risk of playing him on nine occasions, but that move didn’t work out either. Pollard used to be a finisher, but this year he failed to deliver more often than not. It will be difficult for Pollard to regain lost faith.
JP Duminy: This year Duminy was asked to bat lower down in the order where a batsman is expected to attack the bowlers from the very first ball. But with Rohit Sharma batting at No. 4 to stabilize and finish the innings, Duminy’s role became uncertain. Duminy managed only 36 runs in 6 matches at an unpardonable strike rate of 90. If Mumbai decides not to tinker with the top order, that means Duminy would have to make way for another player in playing XI and–perhaps–even on the squad.
Courtesy: Twitter
Mustafizur Rahman: Mustafizur had a wonderful IPL with Hyderabad in 2016. But the Bangladeshi fast bowler got injured later that year and has not been the same since. His pace dropped after returning from injury and that led to a reduction in his bowling. And even though Rahman had a good start this year, he couldn’t finish the season that way. He picked up just 7 wickets in 7 games at an economy of 8.36. Despite that poor performance, Rahman was given a chance in MI’s most crucial game of the season vs. the Delhi Daredevils. But he couldn’t provide a single breakthrough in his quota of 4 overs. Mumbai lost and, with that, its chance to advance. I won’t be surprised if Rahman gets dropped from the squad.
