Mumbai Indians (MI) bowling attack has suffered a significant blow with the news that star pacer Jason Behrendorff has been ruled out of the 2024 IPL season due to injury. This comes as a major setback for MI, who were counting on Behrendorff’s experience to bolster their pace attack.
Behrendorff, the 33-year-old left-arm pacer, was a key player for MI in IPL 2023, finishing as their joint-highest wicket-taker among pacers with 14 scalps in 12 matches. He was expected to form a potent three-pronged pace attack alongside Bumrah and rookie Marco Jansen this season.
However, with his absence confirmed, MI have moved swiftly to secure a replacement. English speedster Luke Wood has been roped in to fill the void left by Behrendorff. Wood, despite having played only five T20Is for England, boasts impressive credentials in domestic and T20 franchise leagues around the world.
“Mumbai Indians (MI) name Luke Wood as a replacement for the injured Jason Behrendorff for the upcoming TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024,” the IPL announced in a statement. Wood, a left-arm pacer like Behrendorff, brings international experience with eight wickets in his five T20I appearances for England. He was acquired by MI for ₹50 lakh (₹5 million).
Wood’s recent form in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) is also encouraging. He picked up 12 wickets in 11 matches, showcasing his ability to thrive in Asian conditions. The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, known for its pace and bounce, could be a familiar hunting ground for the English bowler.
With concerns lingering over the fitness of another left-arm pacer, Dilshan Madushanka, Wood’s inclusion in the squad becomes even more crucial. He might even have the opportunity to make his IPL debut in the upcoming season.
MI’s campaign kicks off on March 24th against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, who will be facing his former team for the first time as captain, MI will be hoping to overcome this injury setback and mount a strong title challenge in IPL 2024.
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