Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Mumbai Indians IPL 2023 Preview: Sixth title for MI? | MI IPL 2023 season preview: Will Rohit’s team win their sixth title?
Mumbai Indians (MI) head into IPL 2023 off the back of a disappointing 2022 season. The five-time champions finished bottom of the league, winning just four of the ten matches.
In an attempt to improve their fortunes, MI focused on building more squad depth in the auction. They landed Cameron Green’s services for one of the highest sums in IPL history, while they also picked up the likes of Piyush Chawla, Duan Jansen and Shams Mulani.
You can watch CricBlog’s MI preview on YouTube here or below.
Mumbai Indians IPL 2023 squad
*Excluding the injured Jasprit Bumrah and Jhye Richardson, who are both out of IPL 2023.
Rohit Sharma (c), Hrithik Shokeen, Arjun Tendulkar, Nehal Wadhera, Duan Jansen, Cameron Green, Tim David, Kumar Kartikeya, Shams Mulani, Dewald Brevis, Ramandeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla, Mohammad Arshad Khan, Akash Madhwal, Raghav Goyal, Tristan Stubbs, Vishnu Vinod, Ishan Kishan, Jason Behrendorff
Mumbai Indians possible XI for first match
1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Ishan Kishan (wk), 3. Cameron Green (OS), 4. Suryakumar Yadav, 5. Tilak Varma, 6. Tim David (OS), 7. Ramandeep Singh, 8. Hrithik Shokeen, 9. Jofra Archer (OS), 10. Kumar Kartikeya, 11. Duan Jansen/Jason Behrendorff (OS)
ALSO READ: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL 2023 Preview: Can the men in yellow fight back?
MI IPL 2023 Preview & Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses
How will MI travel in IPL 2023? Below is a look at the franchise’s key strengths and weaknesses for the upcoming season.
Strengths:
Powerful, versatile batting lineup
MI have a batting lineup that is the envy of other teams in the league. With incredible overseas talent along with domestic class, the five-time champions can make massive scores throughout the season.
Tilak Varma was the biggest positive for MI in a disappointing season in IPL 2022, with he and the superb Suryakumar Yadav set to be a brilliant combination in the middle and backend overs. Also, the franchise has the likes of Tim David to finish off the work of Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma and co., while they can use Cameron Green to their liking.
Return of Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer, the MVP of IPL 2020, looked in good form in England’s recent tour of Bangladesh. He was getting his speeds up towards the 150km/h mark, which is great news for MI. With the ability to bowl at all stages of the innings, MI can look to use Archer as the leader of the attack when available and have the other bowlers chip in at key stages.
Weaknesses
Absence of Jasprit Bumrah – potential to concede huge totals
MI may make big scores, but they are every chance of conceding big scores too. With seven matches at the batting paradise that is the Wankhede, we may see numerous 200 vs 200 matches involving MI. Also, the franchise will have matches at other batting-friendly grounds such as Bengaluru, so whether MI’s bowling attack – without the great Jasprit Bumrah – can limit opposition teams on good surfaces is a huge question mark.
Also, it is a big ask for Jofra Archer to play every game considering he is only easing his way back from his injury problems. So, the role of Jason Behrendorff (if picked) in the powerplay and depth of the MI bowling stocks will certainly be tested.
Lack of experienced option for important number 7 spot
Ramandeep Singh showed promise at the backend of last season, and he may be tasked with occupying that important all-rounder spot at number seven. However, he has batted just 18 times in all T20s, while bowling on just 14 occasions. So, getting up and running right away may be a challenge.
Other potential options for the number seven spot includes Cameron Green, but he looks his best up the order. Nehal Wadhera and Shams Mulani are other all-round options in the squad.
Inexperienced spin options, so onus may be on 34-year old Piyush Chawla
The impressive Kumar Kartikeya and Hrithik Shokeen both have the potential to have strong seasons. But, as mentioned, their skill will be tested on good batting surfaces, especially given they are inexperienced.
So, there may be an onus on Piyush Chawla to deliver key overs for the franchise. The legspinner has been one of the IPL’s excellent spin bowlers, but his lack of competitive cricket in 2023 is something to overcome.
MI IPL 2023 Verdict
MI have the batsmen to make huge scores. However, whether they have enough bowling might to restrict opponents is a huge question mark.
Given the talent they have on board, they will be in contention for a playoffs spot. However, in such a competitive ten-team league, MI’s propensity to concede big totals may see them narrowly miss out on the top four.
ALSO READ: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL 2023 Preview: Can the men in yellow fight back?
You can watch CricBlog’s MI preview on YouTube here or below.