The Mumbai Indians are bracing for a tough blow as star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is expected to sit out the 2023 IPL.
Mumbai Indians are set to be hit with a major blow as Premier India pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Having been out of action since September 2022, the star bowler's injury has proven to be more stubborn than expected, extending his time away from the pitch. This slow recovery from a back injury means he might miss the WTC final in June, even if India qualifies.
According to sources within the BCCI and IPL, Bumrah is still not feeling 100%, which could mean a long road back to professional cricket. The board's primary goal now is to ensure he is ready for the ODI World Cup later in the year, even if he misses the Asia Cup. He is currently working through his recovery at the NCA in Bengaluru.
For years, the Mumbai Indians have enjoyed a massive advantage thanks to Bumrah's extraordinary abilities. While other franchises usually rely on overseas imports to lead their pace attack, MI built their entire strategy around Bumrah's brilliance. Now, the five-time champions are in a tight spot; replacing him in the starting eleven is a daunting task, especially since they let go of Jaydev Unadkat and Basil Thampi before the 2023 auction.
Let's explore two young Indian talents who could potentially fill Bumrah's shoes at MI. First is Arjun Tendulkar. Although he didn't get any game time for the franchise in 2022, his strong performances for Goa in the 2022–23 domestic circuit might convince MI to give him a chance. Arjun is a versatile asset, offering a left-arm seam option and capable lower-order batting. His stats from the last Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament—10 wickets in 7 matches with a tight economy of 5.69—show his potential.
The second candidate is Arshad Khan, another left-arm pacer who brings the added bonus of being a handy batter. Arshad has quickly become one of the most exciting prospects on the MI roster, gaining significant attention following a string of impressive all-round displays in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.