As a franchise in the Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians are known to be the most strategically clear franchise. Every year, Mumbai put up one of the most entertaining and power-packed squads. However, it seemed quite the contrary at the Women’s Premiere League auction. While other franchises were splurging big bucks on marquee players, Mumbai seemed content to sit back and wait for the right opportunities.
This approach was reflected in the fact that Mumbai only picked up four players in the entire auction, the lowest among all franchises. The situation became so chaotic that the auctioneer had to conduct a final round of auctioning just to allow Mumbai to buy the minimum number of players required. This was an embarrassing moment for the franchise, who are known for their shrewdness and efficiency in building a winning team.
Strengths:
Mumbai’s strength this season lies in their batting order. Mumbai Indians probably have one of the best batting orders this season; a lineup ready to fire at any bowling attack. With India’s wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia, and West Indies all-rounder Haley Matthews at the top, Mumbai have two solid openers.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women’s cricket team captain, is known for her explosive batting in the middle order, which helped her team reach the finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2017. New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr is another skilled middle-order batter who has made waves in international cricket with her aggressive stroke play and all-round abilities. Amanjot Kaur, a rising star in Indian cricket, has already shown her potential as a middle-order batter with some impressive performances in domestic cricket.
Chloe Tryon, the hard-hitting South African all-rounder, is also a proven match-winner in the middle order, with her ability to score quick runs and take crucial wickets. Pooja Vastrakar, another talented Indian player, has also shown her mettle in the middle order, with some noteworthy performances in both domestic and international cricket.
All these players have demonstrated their expertise and versatility in the middle order, with their ability to anchor innings, accelerate the scoring rate, and finish matches. Their contributions have been crucial to their respective teams’ success, and they will continue to be important players to watch out for in the WPL as well.
Weaknesses:
Mumbai’s torpid participation at the WPL saw them buying residual players at their base prices. Mumbai Indians went into the IPL 2023 auction looking to strengthen their squad, particularly their bowling attack. However, despite their best efforts, they lost out on many international players in the bidding war, leaving their bowling lineup lacking depth. While Mumbai did manage to pick up some promising domestic talents like Neelam Bisht, Jintamani Kalita, and Sonam Yadav, the pressure of the WPL will be on a different level, and it remains to be seen how they will perform.
To make matters worse, Mumbai’s key pacer Issy Wong was ruled out during the 2022 WBBL season due to injury, leaving a significant void in the team’s fast bowling department. Additionally, players like Pooja Vastrakar and Nat Sciver-Brunt have a history of missing out on events due to injuries, which could further affect Mumbai’s bowling options.
Opportunities:
Despite these challenges, Mumbai Indians still possess a strong batting lineup with several match-winners like Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr, and Chloe Tyron. They will be counting on their top order to deliver and post big scores to put pressure on the opposition.
Mumbai Indians have a strong squad of Indian players, including some promising young talents who may not get a chance to play initially. Players like Dhara Gujjar and Priyanka Bala have been impressive performers for the Bengal domestic side in recent years, with their consistent performances catching the eye of many cricket enthusiasts. If given a chance, they would be eager to showcase their skills on the grandest stages and make a name for themselves.
The Indian Premier League has been a breeding ground for many young Indian cricketers, providing them with the platform to showcase their talents and earn a spot in the national team. The Women’s Premier League aims to do the same by giving young and upcoming cricketers a chance to showcase their skills on a bigger stage. It is an opportunity for these players to learn from the best in the business and develop their game further, which could open doors to a brighter future in international cricket.
In addition to the Indian players, Mumbai Indians also have a strong contingent of overseas players who bring a wealth of experience and skill to the team. With a balanced squad of experienced campaigners and talented youngsters, Mumbai Indians will be looking to cement their place as one of the best teams in the Women’s Premier League.
Threats:
Mumbai Indians have added several uncapped and lesser experienced players to their squad for the upcoming Women’s Premier League season. While there will be ample experience in the playing combination, the presence of new and inexperienced players could pose a challenge for the team. It may take time for these players to adapt to the high-pressure environment of the WPL, and getting them acquainted with the team’s strategies and systems will be a task.
Furthermore, the team’s fast bowling department looks thin, with Issy Wong being the only frontline pacer. Wong’s injury during the 2022 WBBL season has raised concerns about her fitness and form ahead of the WPL. While players like Heather Graham, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, and Jintimani Kalita are capable all-rounders who can bowl seam-up, it would be inappropriate to rely solely on them for defending tricky totals.
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