IPL 2022: Flawed strategy at auctions haunting Mumbai Indians

Franchise let go of impact bowlers like Boult and ChaharMUMBAI: Mumbai Indians' stunning no-show, which has seen them slide to five defeats in a row, their worst start in the IPL since 2014, has left fans stunned. However, those who followed their confused, flawed strategy at the auction table a couple of months back would not be surprised that MI are lying at the bottom of the 10-team table with zero points.

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Punjab Kings' opening batters Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal smashed half-centuries to hand Mumbai Indians their fifth successive loss in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday. Dewald Brevis hit a blistering 49 off 25 balls but Mumbai lost wickets at crucial moments to lose by 12 runs after they

All the mistakes that MI made in Bengaluru are coming back to haunt them. The biggest mistake, which has left their bowling attack toothless, was not retaining New Zealand pacer Trent Boult, or going for him in the auction. MI instead spent Rs 8 cr to buy the unavailable Jofra Archer. Incidentally, the Rajasthan Royals paid the same amount to buy Boult, and the left-arm pacer has not disappointed, taken seven wickets in four games @ 16.57. Boult's deadly partnership with Jasprit Bumrah -the pair took 52 wickets between them to power MI to their fifth title in 2020 -was what gave MI an edge. Though he's a match-winner on his day, the franchise could have perhaps let go of Kieron Pollard, who has put together only 57 runs in five games @ 14. 25. It's also debatable Ishan Kishan was worth the Rs 15. 25 cr splurged on him, when the more consistent Quinton de Kock, who did well for them earlier, could have been a cheaper option. In Boult's