The Mumbai Indians’ only stumbling hurdle in IPL 2024, according to Aakash Chopra, might be an unhealthy team atmosphere caused by the unexpected change in captaincy from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya.
Pandya was acquired from the Gujarat Titans before to the auction. They later chose the Baroda all-rounder as captain, succeeding Rohit, who has guided them to all five IPL victories.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, Aakash Chopra stated that the Mumbai Indians might have a successful season in the IPL 2024 provided they work well together:
“If the Mumbai Indians play to their potential this year, they should be at the podium. Being in the top four is almost a given. Only one thing can stop them. They have done a great job for Hardik Pandya, made a good team, but Hardik Pandya will have to make the team atmosphere.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener added:
“He will have to get everyone together. This team usually stays together. There is no doubt about that, but there is a slight undercurrent with regards to Rohit going.
“I really hope nothing goes wrong there because if there is no problem there, Mumbai is the side to beat.”
Aakash Chopra
Pandya’s addition, according to Aakash Chopra, has given MI a strong Indian contingent.
He emphasized that the inclusion of Rohit, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Piyush Chawla suggests that they have seven capped players among the eight Indians expected to be in their best XII, with the exception of Akash Madhwal.
Aakash Chopra praises Mumbai Indians’ smart buy of Gerald Coetzee for 5 crores
Aakash Chopra stated that the Mumbai Indians were fortunate in the IPL 2024 auction, as they obtained Gerald Coetzee for a low price:
“No one picked Gerald Coetzee. It was beyond my understanding. Whoever did a mock auction thought Gerald Coetzee would go for at least 10-12 crores, could have gone for 14 or 16 crores as well, and they got him for 5 crores. An absolute steal in 5 crores.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator said that luck was on MI’s side, since they also acquired Dilshan Madushanka for 4.6 crore:
“If KKR had not given close to 25 crores for Mitchell Starc, Dilshan Madushanka too would have gone to them. So Madushanka also came to them (MI). They got two players for 9.6 crore rupees, which is probably lesser than the amount for one.”
Aakash Chopra
Nuwan Thushara, another fantastic addition for the Mumbai Indians, according to Chopra, is a terrific death bowler and a very respectable bowler overall. He also mentioned that Mohammad Nabi’s purchase at the conclusion of the auction has bolstered their spin-bowling department.