- May 21, 2025
Alright, so the Mumbai Indians come back after a 15-day break, and just like that, the IPL stakes feel much more intense. We are heading into the business end of this tournament, and playoff places are up for grabs. And most fans asked the million-dollar question: Can the break help or hinder MI’s momentum? But the ironic twist here is that Aakash Chopra thinks MI could leave Mitchell Santner and play Corbin Bosch at the Wankhede. Uh, what? Is that a clever decision or a foolish blunder? Let’s find out!
Momentum May Be Overrated, But Strategy Isn’t
While some teams just swear by momentum, Chopra makes a very good point – you can’t even plan for the playoffs if you aren’t in it! MI needs to treat their decisive virtual quarter-final seriously and go for it. They should put trust in the best eleven they have available to them now, rather than look ahead to when the likes of Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks are off duty with their national teams.
It could be said the pause had disrupted momentum, but to borrow from Chopra, often, experience and individual pedigree come to the fore when the pressure mounts. Historically, MI has started campaigns poorly but somehow managed to spark into action just when they are up against it, momentum aside. Hope’s still breathing, and they have a fortress in the Wankhede, so expect nothing less than a full-strength, balanced XI from MI.
Why Bosch Over Santner? It’s All About the Wankhede Factor
Let’s talk about conditions—Wankhede Stadium is not a place for caution. It’s flat, it’s quick, and it’s going to produce a lot of runs. Enter Corbin Bosch. The South African all-rounder can bowl you pace and bounce, which are far more aligned to this surface than Santner’s left-arm spin.
Chopra’s argument makes all the more sense because Santner’s brand of left-arm orthodox spin bowling can usually be played on slow, tacky pitches, not the batting fortress Wankhede is about to be on Sunday. Bosch, who can hit the deck hard and contribute with bat, gives MI better balance at home with Santner exposed – he is not a name that stands out, but at a time like this and in a game of this importance (a do-or-die game), every tiny advantage you can find they must use!
This is less about who the better player is, and more about who is the right player for this pitch, this opponent, and this moment.
Don’t Fix What Isn’t Broken—Unless You’re Upgrading
Another notable takeaway from Chopra’s discussion: given that Rickelton and Jacks will not be available later, a consideration now to keep them in the team is a must. Their level of firepower up top has been significant – to change that now would be stupidity in cricketing terms.
However, the Bosch-for-Santner selection wouldn’t be a great deal of a shake-up—it would be a minor situational change, not a freak-out change. It is the type of smart, proactive change that makes good teams great.
When reaching the latter stages of a competition, the focus goes less from showboating to fine-tuning. Chopra’s decision to back Bosch over Santner, is not about making copy for a newspaper – it’s about making common sense. Knowing the Wankhede conditions and MI’s do or die situation, Bosch offers that slight advantage to keep them alive.
Mumbai has had miracle runs in the past. Is this subtle adjustment enough of a change to rekindle the team fire? What do you think – can MI back the bounce & Bosch or play it safe with spin & go with Santner?
For more, visit JeetBuzz News to read our quality Cricket Blog updates. Explore if you want to reminisce and enjoy all of your favourite cricket players and nostalgic match moments. To ensure that you never miss out, keep updated and join in the fun!
