IPL 2024: Three Changes Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians Should Make To Get Back To Winning Ways

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) saw their horrendous start to the season continue during the match no. 14 of the Indian Premier League 2024 season. On Monday, Hardik's Mumbai lost their third game in a row to Rajasthan Royals. This was the third win on the trot and 1st away win for the Sanju Samson-led team. Put into bat first, Mumbai Indians could manage only 125/9 from their 20 overs. At one stage, the home team were reeling at 20/4, thanks to the top-class powerplay bowling by Trent Boult and Nandre Burger. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma added 56 runs for the fifth wicket, but it wasn't enough. Let's take a look at the three possible changes that Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians should make to get back to the winning ways in the IPL 2024 season.

Three changes Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians should make to get back to winning ways

Chasing 126, Riyan Parag (54*) smashed yet another half-century to showcase his talent in the shortest format. The Royal youngster saw his team through to win the game by six wickets and go top of the IPL 2024 points table. Here are the three changes Mumbai Indians must make ahead of their next match against Delhi Capitals.

1. Better usage of Jasprit Bumrah in the powerplay, middle and Death overs

Unlike the previous two outings, Hardik Pandya did not open the bowling and had Jasprit Bumrah on from one end in the powerplay. Rohit Sharma has used Jasprit Bumrah the best during his captaincy. After bowling with the new ball for three overs, Bumrah was nearly a spectator after the initial burst. With Riyan Parag going great guns, Hardik Pandya could have saved at least two more overs of Bumrah for the middle and death overs.

2. Stability in the Middle Order with clear Role Play 

In the last three games, Tim David has batted lower down the order. Hardik Pandya has been unsure about how to get the best from Tilak Varma and Tim David. Tim David has performed exceptionally well for Australia at number 5. So, according to the match situation, Hardik Pandya must carefully shuffle the batting order. The ideal order will be Tilak Varma, Tim David, followed by Hardik Pandya. Skipper Hardik Pandya can come up the order to get some quick runs and put the opposition on the mat, which can be a surprising factor.

3. Bringing in Sri Lankan star Nuwan Thushara

Young South African Kwena Maphaka has found going tough in the IPL 2024 season. In his debut match, he was smashed for 66 runs from his 4 overs. Against RR, he got the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal but didn't make any further impact with the ball. Sri Lankan star Nuwan Thushara is waiting for his turn to make his IPL debut. The 29-year-old is in good form, as he had recently picked a hat trick during the T20I series against Bangladesh. The inclusion of the star pacer will be ideal for MI, giving the much-needed depth to their bowling unit.