The absence of pacer Jasprit Bumrah leaves a significant void for Mumbai Indians, and skipper Rohit Sharma expects to find a replacement before the start of the new Indian Premier League season on March 31.
A back injury, followed by surgery, has ruled Bumrah out of the upcoming season, marking the first time in ten years that the right-arm fast bowler has missed an IPL season.
“We’ve been discussing a few options for Bumrah’s replacement. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to close it down in the next couple of days, and then we’ll see how we go about it,” Rohit said at the pre-season press conference.
“We’ve been discussing Bumrah. He is a huge loss. Jasprit Bumrah’s role was crucial for the Mumbai Indians, and it’s a big shoe to fill. However, it provides…an opportunity for the team’s younger members to demonstrate their abilities. We have a few guys who have been with the team for a few years. They are eager to take centre stage, and hopefully (we) can bring in some new blood,” he added.
Mumbai’s fast-bowling stocks are thin without Bumrah and Jhye Richardson, but the presence of England pacer Jofra Archer has delighted Rohit.
Archer missed last season with elbow and back injuries.
“Jofra has always been a part of this team.” He was last year, but he was injured. We’re all aware of his abilities. But we’ll be missing Bumrah this season. But, once again, there are a lot of opportunities available, and if someone misses out, someone else can fill in,” the MI captain explained.
“We understand how much Bumrah will be missed, but many younger players will get their chance, and this is the platform for all the young players to come out and express themselves,” he added.
Mumbai’s head coach, Mark Boucher, is optimistic that Archer and the team’s young bowlers will shine in Bumrah’s absence.
“I’m excited about our bowling attack. It’s of unknown quality, in my opinion. To be honest, losing Bumrah is a huge setback for us. However, losing a player means that opportunities arise from time to time. “The way the team has picked players in recent years is to have a couple of back-ups and future players,” Boucher explained.
“Now is the time for those young people to step forward and seize their opportunities.” From a bowling standpoint, we have the experience and the juniors to show their skills this IPL season, in my opinion. Jofra has recently been playing. “Hopefully, he can get the IPL off to a good start,” he added.
Arjun Tendulkar, a left-arm pace all-rounder who has yet to play in the IPL, is among the young bowlers.
“Arjun has been playing some good cricket recently. He was hurt, but he’ll start bowling today,” Rohit said of him. Boucher agreed with Rohit’s points of view.
“Arjun has been playing excellent cricket for quite some time. He is bowling well, and we believe he will be in the playing XI this year.” The five-time champions’ first game will be an away match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 2.
