In the latest setback for Mumbai Indians, Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson is reportedly set to miss the upcoming IPL 2023 due to an injury. The news comes just days after Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the tournament with a similar injury. The absence of two key pacers will be a major blow for the defending champions, who will now have to rely on other bowlers to fill the void.
Richardson’s Injury Scare
According to reports, Richardson suffered a shoulder injury during the recent India vs Australia ODI series, in which he was a key member of the Australian team. The injury is said to be serious enough to rule him out of action for a few weeks, which means he will not be able to participate in the IPL 2023, which is scheduled to start in April.
Richardson’s IPL Debut
The IPL 2023 was supposed to be Richardson’s debut in the tournament, having been bought by Mumbai Indians for a whopping INR 14 crore ($1.9 million) at the player auction. The 25-year-old had earned the big bucks on the back of some impressive performances in the Big Bash League (BBL) and the T20I series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Mumbai’s Fast Bowling Woes
With Bumrah and Richardson out of the picture, Mumbai Indians will have to rely on other fast bowlers in their squad, such as Trent Boult, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Marco Jansen. However, Boult is also recovering from an injury, which means the burden of leading the pace attack will fall on Coulter-Nile and Jansen, both of whom are relatively inexperienced in the IPL.
Mumbai’s Possible Lineup Without Bumrah and Richardson
Assuming Boult is fit to play, Mumbai Indians‘ pace attack may look something like this:
- Trent Boult
- Nathan Coulter-Nile
- Marco Jansen
- Adam Milne
This lineup lacks the experience and firepower of Bumrah and Richardson, who were expected to form a formidable partnership for the defending champions. Mumbai Indians will also miss the versatility of Richardson, who is known for his ability to bowl at different stages of the innings and execute yorkers and slower balls.
Mumbai’s Alternatives
Mumbai Indians may have to look outside their squad for a replacement for Richardson, who was one of their marquee signings at the player auction. There are a few options available in the IPL 2023 auction pool, such as Morne Morkel, Mohammad Nabi, and Oshane Thomas. However, Mumbai Indians will have to act fast and make a shrewd purchase to fill the void left by Bumrah and Richardson.
Conclusion
Injuries are an unfortunate part of any sport, and Mumbai Indians have been hit hard by them ahead of the IPL 2023. The absence of two key pacers will test the depth and resilience of the defending champions, who will have to come up with a new strategy to defend their title. While Mumbai Indians have the resources and talent to cope with the setback, the loss of Bumrah and Richardson will undoubtedly make their task more challenging.
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