Bumrah, who has not played since last September after suffering a recurrence of a back injury, was part of all five of the Mumbai Indians’ title wins under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma.
Mumbai Indians, the most successful team in the IPL, won the title in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Bumrah has been a vital cog in the wheel of Mumbai Indians and it is sometimes surreal not to see his name in the MI starting XI.
Bumrah played 120 IPL matches for MI and took 145 wickets.
Jasprit Bumra (Photo BCCI/IPL)
Former India and MI player Zaheer Khan, who is currently the Global Head of Cricket Development at Indians in Mumbai, recently spoke to a select group of journalists as part of a panel discussion.
In response to a question from TimesofIndia. com on Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer said, “I miss Bumrah very much. There is no doubt about it. Bumrah is a match winner. I am very vocal that there is inexperience in the Mumbai Indians bowling lineup. Piyush Chawla has done exceptionally well. He carried the responsibility of being a senior bowler very well. But the weakness in MI bowling was always there.
“If Bumrah was around, things would have been different for Indians in Mumbai,” added Zaheer, who is also an IPL expert for JioCinema.
‘BRINGING INTO PIYUSH CHAWLA A PLANNED MOVE’
Zaheer, a 92 Test, 200 ODI and 17 T20I veteran, admitted MI missed Bumrah and also revealed how MI planned to secure the services of the experienced Piyush Chawla.
Chawla is currently the leading wicket taker for this season’s 5-time champions with 20 wickets in 13 matches.
Chawla was not part of IPL 2022 as it found no takers at the auction.
The 34-year-old was picked up by the Mumbai Indians at a starting price of Rs 50 lakh in the mini-auction ahead of this season and has proved to be a strong signing.
Piyush Chawla (photo BCCI/IPL)
Speaking about Chawla, Zaheer, who has played 100 IPL matches and taken 102 wickets, said: ‘Piyush has the experience and this was the requirement of MI. It was a planned move to bring Piyush into the team. We have seen over the years , in the IPL, the value of experience. Bringing (in) someone who has been there, done that, someone who can handle the pressure well.”
“From the point of view of the spin department, there are many young spinners in the MI setup. Piyush was a very easy choice in this regard. With his experience, he can mentor other kids as well. He has been amazing this season “. Zaheer signed.
