IPL 2022: Mumbai Indians sign Akash Madhwal as injured Suryakumar Yadav’s replacement

Mumbai Indians have signed Akash Madhwal as a replacement for Suryakumar Yadav, who was ruled out of the tournament last week with a forearm muscle injury. Madhwal, a right-arm medium pacer, represents Uttarakhand in domestic cricket, having made his debut in 2019.

Madhwal, who has 15 wickets at an average of 26.60 in 15 T20s, has been picked by Mumbai Indians at his base price of INR 20 lakh. “Akash was chosen at the MI preseason camp to join the support team and has over the months demonstrated his ability with the ball, earning him the opportunity to join the seasoned squad,” an official statement from the franchise read.

Yadav’s injury was not the first the Mumbai Indians endured as pacer Tymal Mills had to leave the tournament owing to an ankle injury before the team signed Tristian Stubbs. Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, have been knocked out of the tournament after making an unprecedented start that saw them lose eight games on the bounce. The team has occupied the bottom spot in the tally for the majority of the season after undergoing a significant revamp following the mega auction in February.

The franchise has handed as many as six debuts this season, with Dewald Brevis, Tilak Varma, Hrithik Shokeen, Ramandeep Singh, Kumar Kartikeya and Stubbs making it into their setup. Ramandeep was slotted into the team upon Yadav’s exit as the franchise did not name an immediate replacement. With nothing to lose in the campaign, the incoming Madhwal could well be the seventh to wear an MI cap in the season.

Mumbai are languishing at the bottom currently with nine losses in three wins. However, after an underwhelming start, they have found some momentum in the latter half of the league, having won three of their last four encounters.

They broke the rut with a five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals before clinching a close affair against Gujarat Titans by five runs to make it two in two. A 52-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders later, they defeated Chennai Super Kings by five wickets to register their third win in the season. Their remaining fixtures are against Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 17) and Delhi Capitals (May 21).