Former Australia captain Michael Clarke noted the lack of unity and claims that the Mumbai Indians squad is divided into separate units. Clarke’s assessment follows MI’s poor start in IPL 2024 after the unexpected pre-season change in captaincy from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya. With only five matches remaining, the Mumbai side must win all of them to qualify for the playoffs.
“I’m not sure that Mumbai will qualify for the playoffs this season. Despite their roster of talented players, their inconsistent performance suggests there are likely deeper issues impacting the team that aren’t visible from the outside.
“The dressing room has multiple groups and something’s not right; the players are not coming together as a cohesive team,” he stated.
“While top players like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah have the ability to win matches on their own with extraordinary performances, the team’s success depends on how well they play together as one unit.
“To win big tournaments, teams need strong teamwork and not just individual performances. Unfortunately, this team has struggled to gel with each other, so I hope they can turn it around. However, I don’t see them winning this particular game,” he added.
Coming from a respected cricketing figure, this critical observation casts doubt on the future of MI. The franchise, known for its culture of excellence, must address these concerns swiftly. Rebuilding team morale and unity will be vital if MI hopes to rebound even stronger next season.
Having lost six of their nine matches this season, MI find themselves struggling as they occupy the second-last spot on the points table. On Tuesday, they will face the Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow, hoping to turn their fortunes around.