IPL 2023: Tim David will be X-factor, Jofra Archer biggest strength for Mumbai Indians, says Sunil Gavaskar

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Mumbai, March 16: Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has backed England pacer Jofra Archer and India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan to do well for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL 2023, dubbing them as the trump card for the franchise.

The legendary India batter has also claimed Australia all-rounder Tim David as the X-factor for the five-time IPL-winning side in the upcoming edition, where MI will once again be led by captain Rohit Sharma.

On Mumbai Indians' trump card in IPL 2023

Gavaskar, while speaking exclusively to Star Sports who are the official television broadcaster of IPL 2023, gave an extensive analysis of Mumbai Indians' squad for the upcoming sixteenth edition of the cash-rich league.

"Jofra Archer, one, definitely. I think Ishan Kishan after his debut for India in one-day cricket getting a double hundred, he will be somebody to watch out for as well. And I think Rohit Sharma will do something really special this season," said the Mumbaikar, highlighting who will be the trump card for MI.

Mumbai Indians strength in IPL 2023

The legendary batter termed Archer - the speedster from England - as the Mumbai Indians' biggest strength in the competition.

"Their biggest strength is obviously going to be Jofra Archer coming back, because Jofra Archer is a kind of bowler who can take you wickets at the start and who can bowl the overs, the final couple of overs where he can get the wickets and block the runs as well," Gavaskar said.

MI's weakness going into IPL 2023

The 73-year-old while analysing the weaknesses of the MI going into the competition raised the unavailability of a quality spin bowler. He added further, "I think it would be perhaps the spin combination because they've really got a lovely new ball attack. The spin combination looks just a little bit light."

Game changer for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023

Gavaskar also highlighted that Tim David is the game changer in the MI squad, he said, "I think it's going to be Tim David. Tim David is going to be the X- Factor because he is the kind of player who can change the game in a couple of overs. Cameron Green, he's again somebody who will make a big difference with both bat and ball. He might even bat at number three because of the fact that when he's played for Australia, he's opened the batting and he's scored so many runs so quickly."

Gavaskar predicts Mumbai Indians journey in IPL 2023

The cricketer-turned-commentator went on to claim that Rohit Sharma and his band will have a point to prove this time around as the winners of IPL 2020 season have endured two forgettable editions on the trot. MI finished in the second half of the points table in the league stage in IPL 2021 and IPL 2022.

He further added, "They'll have to forget what happened last season, this is a fresh season to believe that they can do it again. They've got the team, they are, you know probably going to miss Jasprit Bumrah, but otherwise, they've got a team that can win the championship once again. I see them being in the top two this time around or top three definitely because I think they have a point or two to prove after their last year's performance."

Top 4 overseas players for MI

Gavaskar also picked the four overseas players, which according to him, will be crucial in MI's success this season. He even predicted, where coach Mahela Jayawardene's boys will finish at the end of the season.

"The four overseas picks would be the big signing Cameron green. Another big signing, Jofra Archer. Tim David, three. And between the two, depending on form, depending on the opposition, either Tim or Stubbs or Dewald Brevis," he signed off.

TATA IPL 2023 will be live telecast on television between March 31 and May 28 on the Star Sports Network.