Don't think MI have used Jasprit Bumrah in the correct fashion: Brett Lee

MUMBAI: One of the major reasons the Mumbai Indians have slid to the bottom the IPL 2024 table after suffering three successive defeats right at the start is that in the first two matches, skipper Hardik Pandya, for some reason, held back pace ace Jasprit Bumrah from bowling in the Powerplay overs.

It meant that MI missed out on his early strikes, even though Bumrah found a way to sizzle, taking 3-14 in four overs against Gujarat Titans and then 0-29 when the carnage was on against the Sunrisers.

It's a tactic which hasn't gone down well with former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who feels that the 30-year-old India pacer's rhythm has been disturbed as a result of this move. "I'm still impressed with Bumrah, even though the other evening he didn't bowl the best that he's bowled. He's still world-class. There's one thing I'll say about Bumrah: I don't think they've (MI) have used him in the correct fashion. He has bowled the fourth and fifth over in a couple of games, and in the last one, he took the new ball. Even though it was the second over, it was hard for him to control the swing because he hadn't bowled with the brand new ball for a number of games. So, I'd love Bumrah to take the brand new ball first over," Lee, who is an IPL Expert on JioCinema, told reporters in a virtual presser on Tuesday.

Lee, though, backed MI to bounce back from a pathetic start to their season, considering their past record. "If you have a look at their record, they're the most successful team in IPL history. I think back to when they won a tournament, they lost four games on the trot. So, I'm not concerned about MI at the moment. They do have a couple of issues with not scoring runs, bowlers not bowling their best in different areas, but they're still showing signs of how good they are as a team. I think that patience is the key with Mumbai at the moment," Lee asserted.

Soon after India's new pace sensation Mayank Yadav clocked as fast as 155.8 kph while taking three for 27 for the Lucknow Super Giants against Punjab Kings a few days back, Lee had praised the 21-year-old on social media. It's clear that Lee, who used to terrorize batsmen with his sheer pace in a glittering career which saw him take 718 wickets in 322 international games, has been left mighty impressed by the Delhi fast bowler.

However, the 47-year-old didn't want to talk about whether India should rush him into playing in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June, lest it put "extra pressure" on him. "First things first, I don't want to put any extra pressure on him because if you're talking about the chance to represent India, it could put pressure on a guy who's just 21 years of age. But I'm super impressed with what I've seen so far. He's got great pace, a nice action, and got three wickets the other night. So, I'm really excited to see how he progresses over the next 12-18 months," Lee complimented.

"He's the talk of the town at the moment. He clocked 155 kph the other evening. I'm looking forward to watching him tonight. What I'm most looking forward to is to see how he backs up again tonight. Hopefully, his pace is even quicker tonight," Lee gushed.

Lee is sticking to his prediction of RCB winning the title this year. "I've the Delhi Capitals, RCB, CSK and Sunrisers Hyderabad finishing in my top 4. I've got RCB to win it this year. I thought the (RCB) girls played extremely well (to clinch the WPL title this year). It's time for the guys to step up," he said.


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