IPL 2023: 3 players who can replace Jhye Richardson in Mumbai Indians squad

The most successful franchise of the Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians have faced a huge dent in the bowling department following Jhye Richardson's injury. Purchased for a sum of 1.5 crores at the mini-auction, a hamstring injury has led to his exit from the tournament.

A player with an astute capability to swing the ball at a good pace, Jhye Richardson is a bowler with great potential. Making a mark with his performance, he has been a rising star among the quicks in Australia. He has also been an integral part of the Perth Scorchers' squad in their victories in the Big Bash League. Yet, injuries have hindered the Murdoch-born fast bowler's run.

Earlier this year, a severe hamstring trouble had him pull out of the BBL. It further did not allow him from playing the Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield games as well. It also incapacitated Richardson from playing in India and is likely to prevent him from taking part in the upcoming Ashes in England. Being bought by Mumbai for the 2023 season, he was expected to take charge of the bowling front, alongside Jofra Archer and Jasprit Bumrah. With his absence creating a gap that is to be packed with an overseas fast bowler, the MI management will be looking out for someone who can be as good as Jhye Richardson.

Here are three players who can replace Jhye Richardson in the MI squad:

1. Chris Jordan

A belligerent right-arm quick, Chris Jordan has been a regular name in the franchise circuit. Having an aptitude to bowl anywhere in the innings, Jordan can be a productive replacement for Richardson. His ability to be a handy tailender has also been well noted.

The Barbados-born player has grabbed 315 wickets at an economy of 8.88 in the T20 vocation. Having a flock of variations, Jordan can be a good wicket-taking option. To add to that, his shrewd fielding capability makes him a wanted player.

Being a versatile fast bowler, Chris Jordan can not only be a good replacement for Richardson but can also be a backup for Jofra Archer, in terms of experience. Being a T20 parcel, Jordan can be considered to fill in the gap ahead of the upcoming season.

2. Adam Milne

Adam Milne is another bowler who can be seen as a possible replacement for Richardson. A tall right-arm bowler, Milne is known to hit the deck hard, clocking speeds of over 140. The Kiwi player also boasts experience in the cash-rich league playing for various teams in the past, including Mumbai Indians itself.

Speaking about his T20 statistics, he has 161 scalps from 145 matches at a rate of 7.64. Capable of bowling strangling lengths, Milne can be a worthy inclusion for Mumbai. The bounce offered by the pitch at Wankhede can be suitable for the Central Districts cricketer.

Having displayed his prowess, Milne can be handy with the bat as well. He can also startle batters with his handsome pace and can thus add value to the MI side. Coming on the back of fine form in the Plunkett Shield Trophy, Milne does make a case to be obtained by the Rohit Sharma-led franchise.

3. Riley Meredith

Riley Meredith too can be considered as an alternative for Jhye Richardson. A raw speedster, Meredith can deliver searing pace with the ball. The Tasmanian bowler has displayed effectiveness and can bowl at any stage of the game.

In the T20 arena, Meredith has a century of wickets from 77 matches at an economy of 8.33. Playing for Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, he has been an important part of the team. In the recent Big Bash season, the right-handed fast bowler finished as the highest wicket-taker for Hobart Hurricanes with 21 scalps.

Being a part of MI last year, Meredith wasn’t given too many chances but performed decently in whatever little opportunities came his way, picking 8 wickets from equinumerous matches. The Hobart-born cricketer can be a deadly prospect and can therefore fill the void of an overseas fast bowler.

Written by: Vasudev Pallipurathu

 

 

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