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Top 5 IPL Players who were underutilized by MI
Mumbai Indians has been the most successful team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It has won the title five times so far and also won the maximum number of matches in the history of IPL so far. Along with winning the matches and trophies, Mumbai Indians is also famous for talent scout and grooming them into a standard that the players have established themselves in the highest level of the game in the future. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya are clear examples in this discussion.
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However, at the same time, several potential cricketers have been signed by Mumbai outfit but they have not been properly utilized in the matches. Let us take a look at five such names.
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell must be called one among the IPL: 5 players who were underutilized by MI. He is one of the most devastating cricketers in T20 format. He is a match-winner with the bat and at the same time, his effective bowling and superb fielding are his additional skill. That is why he is nicknamed 'Big Show'. Maxwell was bought by Mumbai Indians at the auction for 2013 IPL for an astounding price of 1million US dollars. But surprisingly, the Australian all-rounder got the chance to participate in only three matches that year for MI. The franchise let him go in the next year (2014). MI did not know they would have to pay for it. Maxwell was roped in by Kings XI Punjab in 2014 and he earned the MVP award for Punjab Kings in 2014 IPL.
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Shreyas Gopal
Shreyas Gopal is another name that could not be utilized properly by Mumbai Indians. Gopal who is one of the most talented spinners in the domes circuit and is extremely useful of Rajasthan Royals was one of the MI members in 2014. He picked up six wickets from four matches that year. Still, he was not given chance in the next two years, playing in only two matches in the two years. Then Gopal switched over to Rajasthan Royals in 2018.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal can easily be within the IPL: 5 players who were underutilized by MI. Chahal who has been one of the best spinners in the shortest format, both for the country as well as for his franchise team in the IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had donned MI shirts from 2011 to 2013. In 2011, Chahal played in one match. That was the now-defunct Champions League T20 final. He took 2 wickets in 3 overs, guiding MI to the victory over RCB. Despite the performance, Chahal got the opportunity to play his next match for MI in 2013. RCB did not want to lose the opportunity and bought him at a base price of Rs 10 Lakh.
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Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran is currently one of the most explosive batsmen from the West Indies. He is an absolute match-winner in the shortest format of the game. This is one of the main reasons why Punjab Kings signed him up and have always backed him. However, Pooran initially was purchased by MI. He was picked up by the franchise in 2017 for a base price of Rs 30 Lakh. He was made to warm the bench for the entire season. While one can’t really blame the MI management as he wasn’t a known face back then, he could have at least been given a game or two. Pooran is now one of the most aggressive T20 players and is one of the biggest hitters for the Punjab Kings (PBKS). He has now become one of their key players.
Chris Lynn
Lynn must be among the IPL: 5 players who were underutilized by MI. Lynn is one of the most underutilized players in MI history. It would be safe to call him one of the most unfortunate players to have played for them as well. Those who have watched him play would know how destructive he can be. Lynn is arguably one of the hardest hitters of the ball and has established his name in the shortest format of the game. His exploits in the BBL are world-famous. He was the backbone for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after which he was purchased by MI for his base price of 2 crore rupees in 2020. He was not played in a single game in 2020. He then played his first game for MI in 2021 where he scored a valuable 49 in tricky conditions only to be dropped for De Kock in the second match. While other teams dream of having an explosive player like Lynn, MI just does not seem to back him.
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1. What was the base price of Yuzvendra Chahal when he joined RCB?
Chahal’s base price was only Rs 10 Lakh.
2. How many matches did Gopal play for MI in his two years with the team?
Gopal could take part in only two matches in his two-year stint with MI.
