The Mumbai Indians are facing a severe blow before the 2023 season. After Jasprit Bumrah, another great pacer, Jhye Richardson, is expected to withdraw from the event due to injury. The Mumbai Indians are in a terrible situation due to this revelation since their pace-bowling alternatives are in disarray. This blog will examine Jhye Richardson’s injuries, the Mumbai Indians’ troubles, and what this implies for the franchise’s prospects in the next IPL.
Let’s get right into this story.
Richardson’s Injury
Jhye Richardson had not even taken part in any action since spraining his hamstring in the Big Bash League (BBL) on January 4 and was out for a few matches owing to a minor injury.
Nevertheless, he did not play in the knockout stages with the Perth Scorchers. Richardson did not participate in the Marsh Cup or Sheffield League, but he reappeared to professional cricket with Fremantle in a 50-over game.
Richardson took 3-5 but returned and went for diagnostics. According to the source, the injury and recuperation might keep him out for an extended time, making him unlikely to be ready to play for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2023.
Mumbai Indians’ Loss
The withdrawal of Jhye Richardson from the Mumbai Indians lineup is a significant setback for the five-time winners. With Jasprit Bumrah officially knocked out of the event, the squad’s pace-bowling options are limited.
With Bumrah and Richardson’s unavailability, Jofra Archer, Cameron Green, and Jason Behrendorff must shoulder most of the pace duties. But, with Archer also coming from a lengthy injury layoff, the team will be cautious in featuring him in all 14 league matches.
Replacing Richardson
The Mumbai Indians will attempt to add a handful of substitutes to their team ahead of the tournament’s 16th season. Pacer Nathan Ellis has been named to Australia’s ODI team for the three-match series against India. Ellis is a right-arm fast bowler with a good record in the Big Bash League who earned his T20I breakthrough for Australia in September 2021. But whether he can repeat his IPL performance has to be seen.
Final words
The injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Jhye Richardson have struck the Mumbai Indians with a double punch. The squad’s bowling arsenal is in tatters, with its key pacers ruled out. They only have a few weeks before the competition begins in April 2023. While the Mumbai Indians have a powerful batting lineup, their hopes of winning the tournament will heavily rely on their pacers’ success.