'There are different groups inside Mumbai Indians changing room': Michael Clarke

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke doesn’t see Mumbai Indians qualifying for IPL 2024 playoffs as the five-time champions continue to struggle in a period of transition. Mumbai Indians changed their captain ahead of the season, handing over the reins to Hardik Pandya from Rohit Sharma, who had led the team to five IPL titles. The decision was not welcomed by the fans who did everything possible in their reach to make their feelings clear, including booing Pandya in the matches.

And it seems the growing disconnect between the team and fans and the transition has hit MI badly with the team languishing at the ninth spot in the table.

IPL 2024 Playoffs: Can Mumbai Indians still finish in top four? Scenarios explained

While dissecting their awful form, which has seen Mumbai lose six out of nine matches, Clarke said that he feels the team is divided into different factions and is unable to function together.

“Yeah, I don’t know (they will make it to the playoffs). I think it’s wishful thinking for Mumbai this entire IPL,” he said on Star Sports Cricket Live. “I think there’s a lot more going on than what we are seeing on the outside and you can’t have that many good players and perform this inconsistently.

“So, I think there are different groups inside that changing room and something is not working, they are not gelling together, they are not playing as a team.”

Clarke pointed out that MI have some big names like Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah and Pandya, who can help the team win a few matches based on individual brilliance but the franchise will need the players to fire together to win big tournaments like IPL 2024.

“Individual brilliance can get them over the line if Rohit Sharma comes in and gets another hundred or Hardik does something with the bat or Bumrah bowls like a genius again, you never know.”

“I think to win big tournaments you need to be a team and not just have individual performances and unfortunately they haven’t played well as a team so I hope they turn it around, but I can’t see them winning this game.”

MI will be back in action on Tuesday with a match against Lucknow Super Giants which is sort of a must-win game for them.