Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful teams in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), endured their worst season ever in IPL 2024, finishing at the bottom of the points table. This dismal performance has raised concerns about the form of four of its players who are integral to the Indian team’s starting XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on June 2 in the Americas.
Rohit Sharma, the captain of both Mumbai Indians and the Indian team, has been in woeful form for the most part of the IPL this year. He failed in half (7 of 14) of the innings he batted and looked listless towards the end of the MI campaign. The problem for Rohit is that his numbers for MI have been below par for the last eight seasons! Rohit has crossed an aggregate of 400 just twice since 2017 while his scoring rate did not exceed 135 between 2017 and 2023!
Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain of both Mumbai Indians and the Indian team, poses a bigger challenge. Hardik has lost his X-factor with the bat and is no longer the destructive batter he was for MI in 2019 and 2020. He has largely played as an anchor/accumulator in the IPL in the last few seasons. Hardik’s strike rate of 143 this IPL season was abysmal, given his role and position in the line-up. He was also expensive with the ball conceding at a rate of 10.75!
Suryakumar Yadav, the best T20I batter in the world, had a poor tournament by his lofty standards, failing in six of 11 innings. Jasprit Bumrah was the only bright spot for Mumbai Indians, finishing as the highest-impact bowler of the tournament. However, his exceptional performance cannot mask the concerns surrounding the form of his teammates.
The poor form of these four players has raised questions about the selectors’ decision-making process. While Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion is justified based on his exceptional performance, the selection of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav raises eyebrows. Their recent performances in the IPL, which is arguably the most competitive T20 league in the world, should have been given more weightage.
The absence of players from the two top teams in the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, is also puzzling. These teams have redefined T20 batting in this season of the IPL, breaking records and showcasing a brand of cricket that could change the format forever. The fact that they have no representation at the World Cup is a testament to the selectors’ conservative approach.
As the T20 World Cup approaches, the form of the Indian players who participated in the IPL will be closely monitored. The concerns raised by Mumbai Indians’ dismal season cannot be ignored, and the selectors must carefully consider the recent performances of all players when making their final decision on the World Cup squad.
