The apex bowler of Mumbai Indians will miss the whole IPL season for the first time since his debut in 2013. The MI Paltan will surely miss the services of Jasprit Bumrah as he is their main weapon. Here are the 3 Bowlers MI can target to rope in as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement in IPL 2023.
After a miserable season in 2022 for the 5-time champions, they got hit by another blow when they got to know that Bumrah will be missing the whole 2023 season. In the 2022 season, Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the table despite the availability of Jasprit Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah has been out of action since September 2022 due to Back Injury
The 29-year-old has been suffering from a stress back fracture for a long time due to his unorthodox action which takes a toll on his lower back. He first picked up the injury back in 2019 which made him sit out of action for 4 months. Since then the player has been struggling with back issues.
The injury reappeared just after the end of IPL 2022 which made him sit out of the Asia Cup 2022. The player was rushed in for the 3rd T20I against Australia back in September. The decision backfired and he conceded 50 runs in his 4 over which was also his worst-ever T20 figure ever.
The rushed comeback aggravated the injury and the player was ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2022 as well. Team India missed the services of Bumrah and the bowling looked vulnerable in Australia. Indian bowlers failed to dismiss a single batsman in the semi-final game against England.
3 Bowlers MI can target to rope in as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement in IPL 2023
The player was expected to return for the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy according to the scans. NCA was very sure about his recovery till IPL 2023 but the injury is looking serious and he may even miss the ODI World Cup 2023.
Mumbai Indians have one positive news Jofra Archer is fit to lead the bowling lineup in the absence of Bumrah. Here are a few Indian names who can replace Bumrah in the Indian squad.
1. Dhawal Kulkarni (86 wickets in 92 matches in IPL)
The Mumbai-born speedster is one of the finest swing bowlers India has ever produced. The player went unsold in the IPL 2023 Auction but he has a lot of experience in the league. MI would go for him especially considering his new ball bowling.
2. Sandeep Sharma (114 wickets in 105 matches in IPL)
The right arm medium pace bowler has served the Punjab Kings for a long time. His swing bowling has got him a lot of success in the powerplay overs in IPL.
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3. Arzan Nagwaswalla
The Mumbai Indians net bowler impressed everyone in the camp back in the 2021 season. He is a left-arm fast bowler born in Surat. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the 25-year-old picked 35 wickets in 25 matches with an average of 16.62.