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NEW DELHI: Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has raised a key concern for Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2026, warning that one of their frontline pacers may no longer possess the same edge that once made him a match-winner.Despite Mumbai Indians boasting a star-studded squad, ABD believes there could be a vulnerability that opposition teams might look to 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 The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“They don’t need more all-rounders than what they already have. But the one worry for me is Trent Boult. It’s similar to Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] situation, where he has lost a yard. He is not as spicy as he was from 2018, 2019 and 2020, even earlier 2015,” de Villiers said, suggesting a noticeable dip in pace and effectiveness.ABD elaborated on how the bowler’s strengths have slightly waned over time. “He was clocking in low 140s, really swinging it late because of that fiery wrist he got, but he’s maybe pulled back like a yard and he seems to be more expensive over the last while that I have watched him play over at SA20,” he added.
The former RCB star cautioned that this perceived dip could give a “false sense of security” to the franchise. “Maybe that’s an area where they feel they have a lot of insurance there, but I feel maybe it’s a false sense of security. It could be an area some of the opposition batters will target,” he warned.Meanwhile, former India batter Abhinav Mukund struck a more optimistic note, highlighting the depth and balance in the Mumbai Indians squad. “They’ve got a lot of players in form, which is what makes them scary. De Kock will relish being in Mumbai, playing at the Wankhede Stadium,” he said, backing the team’s overall strength.Mukund also questioned the need for additional options, noting the presence of multiple established bowlers. “They’ve got plenty of options and look very good on paper,” he added.While Mumbai Indians appear primed for another title push, ABD’s assessment serves as a reminder that even the most formidable squads can have underlying concerns.
