KKR vs MI: This Is A Really Weak Mumbai Indians Bowling Attack- Wasim Jaffer

Former Indian player Wasim Jaffer said that Mumbai Indians have a feeble bowling unit in the IPL 2022. The five-time IPL champions suffered their third loss in as many games after a five-wicket defeat against KKR on Wednesday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

An 83-run stand between Suryakumar Yadav (52) and Tilak Varma (38*) and some late power-hitting from all-rounder Kieron Pollard (22 runs in five balls) helped MI post a competitive total of  161 in the first innings.

KKR beat Mumbai Indians by five wickets to hand third straight loss in IPL 2022

MI bowled very well in the first half of KKR innings to reduce them to 67/3 with Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer and Sam Billings being sent back to the dugout. MI leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin kept chipping in with wickets in the middle and got the better of Nitish Rana. Andre Russell smashed a six and boundary before falling to Tymal Mills’ short ball.

Australian pacer Pat Cummins joined Venkatesh Iyer at the crease at the start of the 14th over, at that stage, KKR required 61 runs in 41 balls to chase the score. Cummins scored a quick-fire 56 in just 15 balls to turn the course of the game. The Australian Test skipper clobbered four sixes and a couple of boundaries off Daniel Sams’ bowling in what was a 35-run over.

KKR vs MI: This is a really weak Mumbai Indians bowling attack: Wasim Jaffer

KKR won by five wickets with four overs to spare. Jaffer said MI’s bowling is very weak despite the presence of Jasprit Bumrah. The former Punjab Kings batting coach wants skipper Rohit Sharma to bat at no.3 and promote South African youngster Dewald Brevis to open the innings.

“This is a really weak MI bowling attack in spite of Bumrah. There’s only Jaydev Unadkat to come in. Even on the bench, they don’t have any quality, be it the pace department or the spin bowlers,” Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo. 

“Rohit is not looking in the best of form. The rhythm is missing. Not just Mumbai, the Indian selectors would be worried that they are not seeing the best of Rohit. Probably Rohit can bat at 3, (Dewald) Brevis can open. They just need that start. With a weak bowling, they need 20 runs extra,” he added.

MI will play their next game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the same venue on April 9.

Also Read: KKR vs MI: Even Brendon McCullum Wouldn’t Done It: Graeme Swann Lauds Pat Cummins’ 15-Ball 56 Against MI