5 Overseas players Mumbai Indians might drop ahead of IPL 2019

Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore - IPL Semi Final 1
Pollard's performance was nowhere close to his standards

At the start of the tournament, Mumbai Indians looked a settled side as they retained their core group from previous successful campaigns. But as the IPL progressed, the weak links in their side got exposed and they could only manage six wins in 14 matches.

If you take a close look at the numbers of the Mumbai Indians players, it can be seen that the majority has done decently well. In the batting department, as many as 6 Mumbai Indians batsmen have scored more than 200 runs, next only to KKR's 7. In the bowling department, they have taken the most number of wickets, 92, in the league stage.

Then why did the defending champions fail? The answer is simple. Out of the seven different overseas players used by Mumbai Indians, only two players have performed decently.

If Mumbai Indians want to win the title next year, here are the overseas players that they should drop ahead of the next season:


#1 Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard played a key role in all the Mumbai Indians' title wins but lately, he has been out of form. In spite of his form issues, Mumbai Indians used the RTM card to retain the Trinidadian but he did not meet expectations.

As predicted by many before the season started, Pollard's performance this year was in no way close to the standards set by him previously. Barring the 23-ball 50 against Kings XI Punjab, he made only 83 runs off 77 deliveries i.e. at a strike of 107.79 in the other seven innings.

With the Indian players performing decently, the Mumbai management took the risk of playing him on nine occasions, but the gamble did not pay off. Pollard, who used to be the finisher in previous seasons, failed to deliver more often than not and that led to the downfall of last year's champions.

With him not performing this season, Pollard might find it hard to regain the lost faith anytime soon.

#2 JP Duminy

Kings IX Punjab v Mumbai Indians- IPL
The southpaw had a disappointing season

Many Mumbai Indians fans were left wondering the role of JP Duminy in the side. The southpaw, who generally takes some time to settle in the middle, was asked to bat lower down the order, where a batsman is expected to attack the bowlers from the very first ball.

With Rohit Sharma batting at No. 4 to stabilise and finish the innings, Duminy's role became vague. Batting down the order, Duminy could manage only 36 runs in 6 matches that too at an unpardonable strike rate of 90.

The Mumbai Indians might not tinker with their top order even in the next season and that would mean that Duminy will have to make way for another player in playing XI and maybe even in the squad.

#3 Mustafizur Rahman

Australia v Bangladesh - Cricket
Mustafizur hasn't found his rhythm yet

Mustafizur had a wonderful start to his IPL career with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. But the Bangladeshi fast bowler got injured later that year and he has not been the same bowler since then.

Coming back from injury, his pace saw a dip and that led to the reduction in the potency of his bowling. This season, he had a good start to the campaign but could not keep up at the back end of the tournament.

In this season, he picked up just 7 wickets in 7 games at an economy of 8.36. In spite of his lacklustre performances, he was given a chance in MI's most crucial game of the season against the Delhi Daredevils. In what was a direct ticket match to playoffs, Mustafizur could not provide a single breakthrough in his quota of 4 overs and his side eventually lost to DD and were out of the tournament.

Playing Mustafizur in a must-win the game proved to be a wrong move for the defending champions, who nearly staged another comeback. With Mustafizur losing his Fizz, it won't be a surprise if he gets dropped from the squad next season.

#4 Mitchell McClenaghan

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Jason Behrendorff's return might rule out McClenaghan

McClenaghan went unsold in the auction but was lucky enough to be bought by Mumbai Indians after an injury ruled out Jason Behrendorff from taking part in the tournament.

Of all the five overseas bowling options used by Mumbai Indians, McClenaghan was their best pick. But with age not being on his side, he might find it difficult to be part of the squad next season.

Even though he picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches, Jason Behrendroff's return next year might be the final nail in the coffin and as a replacement player, there is nothing much that he can do.

#5 Adam Milne

Somerset v Kent Spitfires - NatWest T20 Blast
Adam Milne sat out the whole season

Adam Milne joined the Mumbai Indians a bit late into the tournament as his inclusion was confirmed only after the withdrawal of Pat Cummins due to an injury.

Even though he has a decent international record, he has not been the same potent bowler that he was before his injury last year.

With Pat Cummins set to return next season, the New Zealander who got signed as a replacement player might have to make way for the Australian fast bowler next season.

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Edited by Nishant Jayaram