It’s time to blood the "Indians" from Mumbai Indians in the Indian National Team

A surprising exclusion from India’s tour of Australia has been Suryakumar Yadav. Just two days prior to the squad’s announcement, MI went toe-to-toe with Kohli’s RCB. Chasing a total of 165, things looked bleak for MI with 72/3. Suryakumar Yadav was as cool as ice that day. In just 43 balls, Yadav smashed 79 runs as MI defeated RCB. Leaving behind his exclusion, Yadav let his performance do the talking.

Yadav proved that the Indian team management made a big mistake by dropping him. Even with the likes of Kohli and Pandya, India’s middle-order crumbled on several occasions against the Aussies in the limited-overs series.

The dent’s in India’s middle-order batting lineup

Even though India won the T20I series against Australia, it was evident that their middle order was quite unstable. Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, and Manish Pandey were not up to the mark against the Men in Yellow. You can't expect Hardik Pandya to rescue you all the time.

With the T20 World cup coming up soon, there is a question that needs an answer. Is it time to introduce some of the Indians from MI to the national team?

Is it time to give Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav a place in the Indian squad?

This is the 3rd IPL season in which Yadav amassed more than 400 runs for MI. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, Yadav amassed 512, 424, and 480 runs respectively. Be it in the opening or the middle order of the team, Yadav has always delivered for MI.

Ishan Kishan, on the other hand, was Mumbai Indian’s best batsman this season. Kishan smashed a mammoth 516 runs with a terrific average of 57.33. Moreover, he was also the player with the most sixes in IPL 2020- an insane 29. Ishan Kishan proved this year that he has what it takes to represent his country in the limited-overs format.

It is unfair that the duo’s performances have gone unheard. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are also part of the MI. If they can be trusted upon, then why India doesn't back these two incredible batsmen is something that raises questions about the credibility of the team management.

What’s next for the MI duo?

It is believed that the duo might get a chance to play against England in the T20I series next year. This could be their chance to cement their positions as permanent no 4 and no 5 batsmen in the team. The T20 world cup is just around the corner, and India would look to get its hands on the trophy.

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