Mumbai Indians (MI), one of the most successful teams in IPL history, endured a nightmare 2024 season, finishing at the bottom of the points table for the second time in the last three years. The five-time champions managed just four wins in 14 matches, raising serious concerns about their team dynamics, leadership, and overall performance.
Captaincy Change Sparks Internal Chaos
Ahead of IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians made a bold yet controversial decision by replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain. This move reportedly caused unrest within the squad, disrupting the team’s long-standing harmony. Senior players were unsettled, and this internal strife was evident in their on-field performances.
- Lack of unity: Reports suggest that the sudden captaincy change left several players unhappy.
- Poor body language: MI players often looked disengaged, lacking the fighting spirit seen in previous seasons.
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Hardik Pandya’s Underwhelming Leadership & Form
While expectations were high from Hardik Pandya, his performance with both bat and ball was disappointing:
- Batting stats: 216 runs in 14 matches at an average of just 18 and a strike rate of 143.
- Highest score: 46.
- Bowling improvement: Picked up 11 wickets in the latter half of the season but struggled with an economy rate nearing 11.
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Batting Woes & Inconsistency
- Rohit Sharma: Despite scoring 417 runs at a strike rate of 150, including a century, his form declined drastically in the second half, crossing 20+ runs only once in the last seven matches.
- Tilak Varma: One of the few bright spots, scoring 416 runs at an average of 41.60 with a strike rate close to 150.
- Suryakumar Yadav: Missed initial matches but still managed 345 runs, including a century, at a strike rate of 167.47.
- Ishan Kishan: Struggled with form, scoring 320 runs at an average of just 22.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Lone Fight in Bowling
While Mumbai’s bowling lacked depth, Jasprit Bumrah stood out:
- 20 wickets in the league stage.
- Economy rate of just 6.48, one of the best among pacers.
- However, the lack of a strong supporting bowling unit left MI vulnerable in crucial matches.
Lessons for MI Moving Forward
Mumbai Indians’ controversial leadership shift and inconsistent performances proved costly. With two bottom-table finishes in three years, the franchise must re-evaluate its strategies ahead of IPL 2025.
