The Mumbai Indians slumped to their second defeat in IPL 2019 after a pounding by the Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. After getting off to a good start, Mumbai's middle order batting looked out woefully lackluster with only Hardik Pandya making a notable contribution.
The fast bowling too has shown dearth in the quality. Except for Bumrah, no other MI bowler has been able to put his hand up and deliver. Mitchell McClenaghan has been very expensive with ball and Malinga hasn't looked the most threatening.
All in all, the Mumbai Indians team looks very vulnerable right now and it is time for them to go back to the drawing board and try out new faces to turn the tables around. Here are 6 players that Mumbai Indians should try in the next few games.
#6 Jayant Yadav
Jayant Yadav was acquired by the Mumbai Indians from the Delhi Capitals in a transfer ahead of the 2019 season. The off-spinner has warmed the bench so far and would be itching to get into the side looking at Mumbai's shoddy bowling effort this season.
The 29-year-old has played only 10 IPL games so far but has a very cheap economy of 6.53. To push his case further, he is a decent lower-order batsman. Also, the MI haven't had a quality off-spinner since Harbhajan Singh's departure and Jayant could well be the new man for the job.
#5 Siddhesh Lad
Siddhesh Lad has been a juggernaut run-scorer for Mumbai in the domestic cricket and is called the 'crisis man' of his team. The Mumbai Indians picked Siddhesh Lad in 2015 and surprisingly haven't given him a single game yet.
Looking at Mumbai's middle-order woes, it is the perfect time for the men in blue and gold to end Lad's long wait for the MI cap. He is a powerful striker of the ball who can provide great value to their batting line-up.
#4 Barinder Sran
The 26-year-old Punjab fast bowler is a good inclusion to the Mumbai Indians squad in 2019. Barinder can be quick and make the ball shape into the right-handers. The Mumbai Indians are really struggling in terms of their pace bowling with no one barring Bumrah providing penetration.
Barinder Sran can replace Mitchell McClenaghan and his selection can give the MI bowling attack much-needed impetus which McClenaghan isn't providing right now. Also, Mumbai can play an extra foreign batsman replacing the Kiwi seamer and enhance their batting strength.
#3 Jason Behrendorff
The Australian left-arm quick missed the last IPL season due to injury. Behrendorff would be joining the MI camp after Australia ODI series against Pakistan in UAE. His presence would be a huge boost and will bolster the MI bowling attack.
He can bowl three tight overs in the powerplay upfront and provide early breakthroughs. Behrendorff has had a short international career so far but has done enough to prove that he has the talent. He is another strong contender for Mitch McClenaghan's spot.
#2 Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is a dynamic young batsman who possesses a lot of firepower in his strokeplay. Kishan lost his place from the MI side after Quinton de Kock took over the gloves. However, it is time for the MI to unleash their power-hitting left-hander as it makes no sense to hold him back anymore.
Kishan can replace Suryakumar Yadav who has looked steady but not spectacular in the tournament so far. With Kishan around, the Mumbai Indians can be assured of a fiery batsman in the middle order who can sustain the good run rate.
#1 Evin Lewis
Evin Lewis was a bright star in Mumbai's misery last season. The West Indian opener is capable of destroying any bowling attack at will when he gets going. He needs to walk into the Mumbai side as soon as possible if the MI are to make a turnaround.
One option that the Mumbai Indians could try is opening with Lewis alongside Rohit Sharma and pushing Quinton de Kock to No.3. The Rohit-Lewis opening combination can work wonders for the MI as Lewis' fiery strokeplay will allow Rohit some time to get his eye in.
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