As Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders in today’s match of IPL 2024, overseas pacer Gerald Coetzee sheds light on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy amidst mounting criticism. Since assuming the role of captain, Hardik has faced challenges both as a player and a leader, drawing scrutiny from former cricketers who question the decision to appoint him over Rohit Sharma. Coetzee’s revelations provide a glimpse into the dynamics within the team under Hardik’s leadership.

“I think he’s been a really good captain…”

Coetzee also commends Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar performances amidst Mumbai Indians’ struggles, highlighting the pacer’s consistent excellence despite the team’s setbacks.

“I think he’s been a really good captain. I think as you get different captaincy styles, he’s got a new style which is unique to him. No captain is the same, he’s been really good. He’s been really motivational to the guys. He’s been really clear with the plans. I think he’s an exceptional captain,” said Gerald Coetzee in the pre-match press conference.

“I think basically, it comes down to simplicity and accuracy and I think he’s done that better than any other bowler in this competition and that’s as simple as that,” he added.

AB de Villiers’ critique of Hardik’s captaincy style

Former South African batter AB de Villiers has previously criticized Hardik’s captaincy approach, citing its clash with the expectations of senior players like Rohit.

“The captaincy style of Hardik Pandya is quite bravado. It’s ego-driven in a way, chest out. I don’t think how he walks on the field is always genuine, but he has decided that is his way of captaincy. Almost like MS. Cool, calm, collective, always got your chest out. But when you play with a lot of experienced players, guys who have been around for ages… They don’t buy into that. It worked at GT, where it was a younger team. Sometimes, inexperienced players love to follow that kind of leadership,” De Villiers had said on his YouTube channel.

See Also: Sehwag declines debate on MSD’s batting spot

With Mumbai Indians already eliminated from the playoffs, attention shifts to their preparations for the next season, including potential changes and strategies, especially considering the upcoming mega auction.

With the 17th edition of IPL commencing on 22nd March, many cricket fanatics eagerly anticipate an intense and exciting summer cricketing clash between the Indian cities and states. The Mumbai Indians squad for the upcoming edition has primarily focused on revamping with the elements of young and emerging players that could benefit their future goals and aspirations.

As the team making a significant change of their five-time champion captain, Rohit Sharma, and giving the responsibility to Hardik Pandya, it is evident that the team is up to something about their plans. So, here is a list of the top four players to check out from the Mumbai Indians squad. 

Hardik Pandya

From a long run of rumours and speculations, Hardik Pandya finally got shifted from his previous squad, Gujarat Titans, to his first franchise, Mumbai Indians, in an all-cash deal of INR 15 Crore. Though many cricket fanatics were amused by the decision to make him the team’s captain, Hardik Pandya could be the significant initiator in the plans of Mumbai Indians.

Recently getting prone to injuries, Pandya is set to make a robust comeback as the team’s jack of all trades. In his 139-match IPL stint, he has made 2309 runs and scalped 53 wickets. 

Tilak Varma 

Tilak Varma has risen ever since his inclusion in the Mumbai Indians squad from the 2022 edition. With his ability to take the game deep and enhance their middle-order batting capacity, he became one of the top run-scorers in the team.

After back-to-back solid seasons, he earned his maiden T20I call-up for the series against West Indies, where he didn’t disappoint with the bat. His ability to switch gears alongside his useful off-breaks makes him a premium product in the arsenal’s setup. In his IPL career, he has made 740 runs in just 25 innings, with a commendable average of 38.95.

See also: IPL 2024: SWOT Analysis of Mumbai Indians

Gerald Coetzee

The South African quick gun Gerald Coetzee was one of Mumbai Indians’ initial auction choices for INR 5 crore. Coetzee played four T20Is and collected six wickets. He played his last 20-over match against India in 2023.

The 5-time winners are prominent for their fast bowling, which the club is working hard to enhance for the IPL 2024. The highlights of his first IPL season will be his quick pace and wicket-scalping technique in crucial moments.

Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi, regarded as one of Afghanistan’s finest cricketers, was a significant signing for MI in the auction, fetching INR 1.50 crore. Nabi, known as the Afghan T20 GOAT, has 3399 runs and 92 wickets in 118 matches. In his IPL stint, he made a commendable all-rounder contribution to SRH and KKR.

While Nabi’s IPL outings have been limited, his importance with MI is expected to grow dramatically. Nabi’s batting and bowling expertise and Piyush Chawla’s will be critical to MI’s success in the IPL 2024, bringing depth and balance to their team.

With the 17th edition of IPL commencing on 22nd March, many cricket fanatics eagerly anticipate an intense and exciting summer cricketing clash between the Indian cities and states. The Mumbai Indians squad for the upcoming edition has primarily focused on revamping with the elements of young and emerging players that could benefit their future goals and aspirations.

With the team making a significant change of their five-time champions captain, Rohit Sharma, and giving the responsibility to Hardik Pandya, it is evident that the team is up to something about their plans. So, here is a list of the top four players to check out from the Mumbai Indians squad.

Hardik Pandya

From a long run of rumours and speculations, Hardik Pandya shifted from his previous squad, Gujarat Titans, to his first franchise, Mumbai Indians, in an all-cash deal of INR 15 Crore. Though many cricket fanatics were amused by the decision to make him the team’s captain, Hardik Pandya could be the significant initiator in the plans of Mumbai Indians. Recently getting prone to injuries, Pandya is set to make a robust comeback as the team’s jack of all trades. In his 139-match IPL stint, he has made 2309 runs and scalped 53 wickets.

Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma has risen ever since his inclusion in the Mumbai Indians squad from the 2022 edition. With his ability to take the game deep and enhance their middle-order batting capacity, he became one of the top run-scorers in the team. After back-to-back solid seasons, he earned his maiden T20I call-up for the series against West Indies, where he didn’t disappoint with the bat. His ability to switch gears alongside his useful off-breaks makes him a premium product in the arsenal’s setup. In his IPL career, he has made 740 runs in just 25 innings, with a commendable average of 38.95.

See also: IPL 2024: Top 4 Chennai Super Kings players to be in focus

Gerald Coetzee

Gerald Coetzee, the South African quick gun, was one of Mumbai Indians’ initial auction choices for Rs 5 crore, with a base price of Rs 2 crore. Coetzee played four T20Is and collected six wickets. He played his last 20-over match against India in 2023. The five-time winners are well-known for their fast bowling, which the club is working hard to enhance for the IPL 2024. The Proteas pacer will support Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, and Jason Behrendoff’s pace attack. The highlights of his first IPL season will be his quick pace and wicket-scalping technique in crucial moments.

Dilshan Madhushanaka

The Mumbai Indians spent Rs 4.6 crore on Sri Lanka’s left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka as their second pacer buy at the recent auction. In 14 T20 matches, the seamer has 14 wickets at an average of 30.93. It’s not unexpected that the addition of Sri Lankan pacer and South African quickie Gerald Coetzee has enhanced the Mumbai Indians’ pace-bowling department, which already has Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, and Jason Behrendoff, to name a few. With this player’s debut, the five-time champion bowling team will become one of the tournament’s strongest.

The Indian Premier League has become a gateway to execution and the display of impeccable cricketing talent. It is not a lie that we have seen many top and prominent players making a mark amongst the cricket fanatics, thanks to this cash-rich and massive fanbase tournament. Be it for a domestic player creating a breakthrough in the Indian team space or a foreign player making their fanbase amongst the Indian fanbase.

As it implies, the auctions in December have seen some intriguing additions to the IPL family, and they would create an impact in giving an excellent kickstart to their IPL stint. This listicle will look at the top four debutants to watch out for in the upcoming IPL 2024 edition.

Rachin Ravindra- Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings, the reigning five-time champions, have signed all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for Rs 1.8 crore. In his T20I career, he has scored only 146 runs in 19 innings at an average of 13.18 and taken 11 wickets. Rachin Ravindra distinguished out for New Zealand at the recent World Cup 2023 tournament.

Ravindra took full use of his place up the order, scoring three three-digit figures for a total of 565 runs, the most by any batter making his World Cup debut. And with Devon Conway being ruled out for most of the tournament due to a significant thumb injury for the next two months, Rachin Ravindra can fill up the boots of a vacant opening partner with Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Gerald Coetzee- Mumbai Indians

Gerald Coetzee, a South African quickgun, joined the Mumbai Indians for Rs 5 crore. Coetzee had a base price of Rs 2 crore. Coetzee played four T20Is and took six wickets. He played his final 20-over match against India in 2023. The five-time winners are well-known for their excellent speed bowling, and the team is working hard to improve it for the IPL 2024.

The Proteas pacer will assist Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, and Hardik Pandya’s pace attack. The highlights of his maiden IPL season will be his rapid pace and wicket-scalping technique in essential situations.

See Also: 5 players with most runs In IPL ft Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Dilshan Madhushanaka- Mumbai Indians

In the IPL 2024 auction, the Mumbai Indians spent Rs 4.6 crore for Sri Lanka’s left-arm fast Dilshan Madushanka. In 14 T20 matches, the seamer has taken 14 wickets at an average of 30.93.

It is hardly surprising that the arrival of the Sri Lankan pacer and South African quickie Gerald Coetzee has improved the Mumbai Indians’ pace-bowling department, which already has Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, and Jason Behrendoff, to mention a few. This player’s debut will make the five-time champion bowling team one of the strongest in the tournament.

Shamar Joseph- Lucknow Super Giants

Though he has got his name in the IPL ecosystem as a replacement for Mark Wood from the Lucknow Super Giants, Shamar Joseph did the talking with the ball after his brilliant and memorable performance for the Carribean side against the Aussies. Joseph made his West Indies debut in the drawn series against Australia, dismissing Steven Smith with his first ball in Test cricket, which the team lost in Adelaide.

He became a worldwide sensation when, despite an ailing foot, he claimed seven wickets in the final innings to lead West Indies to a stunning eight-run victory at the Gabba in the second Test. It was West Indies’ first Test victory in Australia since 1997. As his performance suggests, it is not surprising to see Shamar Joseph being the major contributor in the LSG’s bowling attack and, of course, an IPL debutant to check out for.

Gujarat Titans can be hailed as one of the few teams with an impeccable start since its inception in the tournament. By cracking the code of entering the finals two consecutive times, it is a no-brainer that the team has a robust lineup ticking all the boxes.

But with their trade deal of letting go of their captain, Hardik Pandya, to the Mumbai Indians, it is evident that the team should now focus on obtaining emerging and talented players for their arsenal under the helm of an emerging captain, Shubman Gill.

With the unit comprising the highest money purse (Rs. 38.15 Crore), here is a list of probable three picks by Gujarat Titans in the coming IPL auctions. 

•  Travis Head

With the team retaining two of their squad’s prominent and significant all-rounders, Rahul Tewatia and Vijay Shankar, their decision to try to purchase Travis Head.

In the recently concluded stint of CWC 2023, Travis Head proved to be an impactful player for the winning Aussies team. He can also be handy with the ball, creating some spin and scalp crucial wickets. 

• Shardul Thakur

As the team’s former captain and vital all-rounder, Hardik Pandya parted ways with the Gujarat Titans, the management can plan for acquiring Shardul Thakur as a potential substitute for the position and responsibilities that Hardik Pandya had.

Being one of the most expensive releases by the player’s former team, Kolkata Knight Riders, several franchises would try to have the Indian all-rounder in their playing XI, thanks to his medium pace and swashbuckling-hitting calibre. 

• Gerald Coetzee

Gerald Coetzee made an impression on the cricketing world with his outstanding performance for South Africa in the ODI World Cup 2023. His bowling talent and ability to perform under pressure drew the attention of cricket fans worldwide.

His ability to take essential wickets in crucial moments makes him an invaluable asset to any T20 team, something the savvy GT thought tank recognises. The management understands the need for a formidable speed attack, and Coetzee’s recent exploits make him a perfect choice to don their jersey.