New Delhi: Former South African captain AB de Villiers has expressed an important concern. Mumbai Indians Ahead of IPL 2026, warned that one of their front-line pacers may no longer have the edge that once made him a match-winner.Despite Mumbai Indians boasting a star-studded squad, ABD believes that there may be a threat that opposition teams can exploit. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he pointed out that while the team looks well balanced on paper, there are subtle signs of decline in one of their experienced bowlers.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!“They don’t need more all-rounders than they already have. But one concern for me is Trent Boult. It’s like Bhuvi. [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] situation, where he has lost a yard. He is not as spicy as he was from 2018, 2019 and 2020, even before 2015,” de Villiers said, suggesting a significant drop in pace and effectiveness.ABD explained how a bowler’s power has declined slightly over time. “He was bowling in the low 140s, really swinging it late because of his fire wrist, but he’s probably gone back a yard and seems more expensive of late than I’ve seen him play at SA20,” he added.
The former RCB star warned that this perceived dip could give the franchise a “false sense of security”. “Maybe that’s an area where they feel they have a lot of insurance there, but I think that’s probably a false sense of security. It might be an area that will target some of the opposition batsmen,” he warned.
Poll
Which do you think is more important to the success of Mumbai Indians?
Meanwhile, former India batsman Abhinav Mukand struck a more optimistic note, highlighting the depth and balance in the Mumbai Indians squad. “They have a lot of in-form players, that’s why they are scared. De Kock would love to play at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai,” he said, endorsing the team’s overall strength.Mukund also questioned the need for additional options given the presence of several established bowlers. “They have a lot of options and look great on paper,” he added.While Mumbai Indians look poised for another title push, ABD’s assessment serves as a reminder that even the strongest squads can have fundamental concerns.
