IPL Auction 2023: Irfan Pathan analyzes Mumbai Indians squad ahead of new season

After finishing at the bottom of the table in the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League, the Mumbai Indians were in desperate need of revamping their squad. In the auction, the five-time champions were looking to sign a replacement for Kieron Pollard, who eventually retired from IPL earlier in the year. 

The Rohit Sharma-led side broke the bank and signed Cameron Green for INR 17.5 crore to make him the most expensive cricketer of the franchise. However, as per former India international Irfan Pathan, the franchise currently lacks a player who can bat at number seven. While talking to Star Sports after the auction, the 38-year-old lauded the franchise for their signings but also stated the problem they can face in the next season.

“Definitely between three-and-a-half to four. Cameron Green was an extremely good buy. I am giving one point less because you will feel one player is missing when you try to make their playing XI.

"You can also get Cameron Green to open and then Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav - these four are confirmed. Tilak Varma will come at No. 5, Tim David will come at No. 6 but who will be the seventh player? Which other guy will bat here? It seems they missed out slightly there,” Pathan said. 

Pathan sings highly of Mumbai’s bowling line-up

The former left-arm pacer was very impressed with Mumbai’s bowling attack for the upcoming season. He believes that their bowling order is sorted and if the players remain fit, then it’s the best in the league.

“Other than that, your bowling is sorted. You got Piyush Chawla as a spinner. You have Jofra Archer and Jasprit Bumrah, if they remain fit then it's the best, or else you have the option of both Behrendoff and Jhye Richardson.

"Mumbai Indians' problem might get sorted out because of the impact player that is going to come. There you can play an extra bowler at No. 7, or a batter if you have to bowl second. So the overall team is good but I gave the rating based on the best playing XI,” the 38-year-old added.