Defending champions Mumbai Indians begin their title defence against last year’s finalists Chennai Super Kings in the first clash of this year’s Indian Premier League. Mumbai have assembled a well-rounded unit with match-winners in all departments, and they are undoubtedly one of the favourites to win the title yet again.
We take a look at their possible playing XI for the first few games of the tournament.
Openers
Chris Lynn and Quinton de Kock
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock is guaranteed to open the innings for Mumbai Indians, after a stellar season in 2019, where he scored 529 runs in 16 games at an average of over 35 with a strike rate of 132.91. The left-hander is one of the most dangerous players in his day, and formed a threatening pair with skipper Rohit Sharma.
However, it is unlikely that Rohit will open the innings this season, with Australian Chris Lynn expected to face the new ball alongside de Kock. Though Lynn was released by his former franchise Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the season, and had a dismal CPL, where he ended with a high score of just 37, the Aussie is one of the most formidable players, and can be lethal in the first six powerplay overs.
Middle-order
Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan
Skipper Rohit will be slotted into the number three position and will be the anchor of the innings in case of an early fall of wicket. Though the Mumbaikar has not been able to replicate his international form in the IPL, the MI batsman is still one of the best white-ball cricketers around, and he will be looking to lead from the front.
Suryakumar Yadav, one of the best uncapped players of the league, will want to continue his form from last year, where he had smashed 424 runs at a strike rate of 131. The youngster is arguably one of the best players in domestic cricket and had a fine Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament last season, and can be expected to leave his mark yet again.
Ishan Kishan might not have had the best edition in 2019, scoring just 101 runs in seven games, but the wicket-keeper is expected to be slotted into the XI in the first few weeks.
Also Read: 5 Greatest All-Rounders in IPL history
All-rounders
Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard
The Mumbai Indians team have three of the most feared all-rounders in the game, with all three capable of contributing and winning matches on their day. Kieron Pollard had a CPL to remember and ended as the Player of the Tournament, contributing with both bat and ball regularly.
Hardik, who missed most of 2019 due to an injury, ended with a strike rate of more than 191 last season with the bat – second only to Andre Russel’s. He also picked up 14 wickets to display why he is so valuable and indispensable in any T20 team.
His brother Krunal will have the responsibility of leading the spin department for the franchise. MI do not have the strongest spinners in the side, with Krunal being the most experienced, and he will have a massive role to play on the slow tracks that will be present in the UAE. He can also send the ball a long way with the bat in hand, and will form a formidable trio with Hardik and Pollard.
Bowlers
Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult
Along with Krunal, youngster Rahul Chahar will be the other tweaker in the Mumbai Indians unit for IPL 2020. The Rajasthan cricketer impressed with his accuracy last year, when he picked up 13 wickets in 13 matches, bowling at an economy rate of just 6.55. Chahar had excelled at the Wankhede Stadium, a track that does not offer much assistance to the spinners, and he will be eager to bowl on the tracks in the UAE that will have more help for him.
Jasprit Bumrah is undoubtedly one of the finest death ball bowlers in white-ball cricket. The Indian will have to raise his game in the absence of Lasith Malinga, who misses the edition due to personal reasons. Alongside Bumrah, Trent Boult will add spice to the fast bowling line-up. The Kiwi adds variety with his left-arm pace, and he can be a threat with both the new and the old ball.
Mumbai Indians Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2020
Quinton de Kock (wk), Chris Lynn, Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
