Former Australian captain and commentator Michael Clarke has made a scathing statement as his honest assessment of Mumbai Indians (MI)’s abysmal performance in the ongoing IPL 2024 hit the headlines. Clarke said that the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp is divided into different groups, which is why they are not playing as a team this season.
The former Australia batsman further claimed that there may be underlying issues within the MI camp that are currently hidden from the world. Clarke also said that MI’s chances of qualifying for the IPL 2024 playoffs are very slim.
Notably, MI made a significant change by appointing Hardik Pandya as their new captain ahead of this season, replacing five-time IPL winner Rohit Sharma. This decision did not go down well with the fans, which is evident from the fact that they booed Pandya during MI matches this season.
It’s wishful thinking for Mumbai throughout the IPL: Michael Clarke
The disconnect between the team and its fans as well as the transition period has had a significant impact on MI’s performance in the ongoing IPL 2024, where they are currently placed ninth in the table after suffering defeats in six out of nine matches.
Michael Clarke said on Star Sports Cricket Live: “Yeah, I don’t know (if they’ll make the playoffs). I think it’s wishful thinking for Mumbai throughout the IPL. I think there’s a lot more going on than what we see from the outside and you can’t have so many good players and have them play inconsistently. So I think there are different groups in this locker room and something isn’t working, they’re not meshing, they’re not playing as a team.”
“Individual brilliance can push MI over the limit”
The former Australian captain admitted that MI has great players like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya and that their individual brilliance can help the team win some games but that together they need to give their best to win big tournaments like winning the IPL.
Clarke said goodbye with the words: “Individual brilliance can get them over the finish line, if Rohit Sharma comes in and gets another hundred or Hardik does something with the bat or the Bumrah bowls again like a genius, you never know.” I think to win big tournaments, you have to You can be a team and not just perform individual achievements. Unfortunately they didn’t play well as a team so I hope they can turn it around, but I can’t see them winning this game.”
With their IPL 2024 playoffs hopes hanging in the balance, Mumbai Indians (MI) face the daunting task of winning all their remaining matches to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Mumbai Indians (MI) will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their next competitive match of the ongoing IPL 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, April 30. The LSG is currently in 5th placeTh in the IPL 2024 points table with 10 points from 9 games in the league so far.