The most successful IPL team is all in readiness to defend the title and win it for the record 5th time. The positive aspect of the team is its core that has been constant for years. Rohit Sharma, Pollard, Pandya Brothers and Bumrah- all of them are match winners and have the capability to turn the game on its head. The team boasts of a perfect balance between overseas players and talented domestic players. Presence of de Kock and Lynn, if played, at the top will provide the required firepower to propel the team to high totals- the deficiency they had last time they played in UAE. Consequently they lost all the 5 matches they played here. They would hope to begin on a better note this time and would love to avaoid the situation where every game becomes a must win.

The services of Lasith Malinga, the leading wicket taker in IPL who has decided to take some personal time off from the game, would be dearly missed by the team. He is not only their premium strike bowler but also a helpful mentor specially during match hours for the Mumbai pacers. In his absence Jaspreet Bumrah would have to step up and take the lead. Lets have a detailed look at the Mumbai Indians team:

Retained Players

Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Krunal Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Anmolpreet Singh, Jayant Yadav, Aditya Tare, Anukul Roy, Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McClenaghan.

Traded Players

• Sherfane Rutherford (Delhi Capitals to Mumbai Indians) – ₹6.2 crore

• Trent Boult (Delhi Capitals to Mumbai Indians) – ₹2.2 crore

• Dhawal Kulkarni (Rajasthan Royals to Mumbai Indians) – ₹75 lakh

 Expected Playing XI

Strength–  CORE INDIANS AND THEIR DEPTH IN FINISHERS PROVIDE THE FIRE POWER IN THE TEAM. HARDIK AND POLLARD ARE ONE OF THE BEST BIG HITTERS OF THE WORLD. POLLARD WAS IN AMAZING FORM THIS YEAR. HARDIK WHO IS COMING BACK FROM AN INJURY WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO HIT THE BALL OUT OF THE PARK QUITE OFTEN.

Weakness- Lack of an experienced spinner. This is what’s lacking in this team. With Rahul Chahar and Jayant Yadav in the spin attack it seems that there is lack of experience in this bowling lineup.

PLAYER ANALYSIS

Quinton De kock –  The Left handed opener from South Africa has been a valuable asset to Mumbai Indians since the couple of years. With a right hander- Rohit Sharma- on the other end, De kock has a key role to play for the Paltan.

Rohit Sharma – The skipper of the defending champions seemed quite amused considering his batting position after the auction as he came up with a humourous tweet questioning the management about the same. No doubts he has always been a successful  opener and an explicit timer of the ball. The recent recipient of India’s highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, has a lot to prove this season with IPL being held outside India. The fans must be keen to watch if he can continue with his fanstastic form even after 5 months of homestay.

Ishan Kishan – This outrageous talent from Patna constitutes the core of the middle order along with SURYA KUMAR YADAV. The left hander has a mix of orthodox and unorthodox shots. He also has the ability to play according to situation and should be entertaining to watch.

Surya Kumar Yadav– The right handed swashbuckling batsmen has been in his supreme form in the domestics in the last few years. With a wide range of shots , he also has the ability to win matches for his team.

Kieron Pollard – The big guy from the Carribbean is gonna be the third unofficial skipper of MI besides Hitman and De kock( SA’s skipper). Besides MALINGA and ROHIT , Pollard is one of the oldest guys representing the franchise. There must be no doubt on his match winning abilities and he can also add onto some part time bowling. Not to forget , he is also a terrific fieldsman.

Hardik Pandya – It’s been almost a year that Hardik is off the field and it can’t get better than the IPL’s grand stage to witness a comeback from Hardik Pandya. He’s been engaged , he’s had a baby in the last one year and the only thing that’s been missing from his part is Cricket at highest level . The all rounder is be one of the vital member of the team and has to showcase his ability once again.

Krunal Pandya – The left handed cricketer from Baroda will have a key role to play with the bat as well as the ball. Won’t be surprised to see him open the bowling in few games but again this year , he has a lot to prove with his bat.

Rahul Chahar –  In the spin friendly pitches of UAE, he is the only legitimate hope of Mumbai Indians in the spin department . The leggie made his debut for India in 2019 against Windies and also performed above par in the last season. Therefore it would be Rahul Chahar who will be in charge of the spin department of the paltans.

Nathan Coulter Nile– With no MALINGA in the tournament, this guy from Western Australia might be the one making it to the playing 11. With mix in variations , he could be an valuable asset to the bowling department alongside Bumrah and Boult. He also has the ability to whack balls out of the park down the order.

Trent Boult – This left arm  pacer is going to be the leading bowler for MI with Bumrah . His ability to swing the ball Both ways at 140+ pace remains his greatest strength. He can also be very effective in the death as well as in pressure situations.

Jasprit Bumrah- Since the last few years , there has been one name that has delivered consistently in the death overs and that name is Jaspreet Bumrah. He has got the bounce , he has got the pace he has mastered the Yorkers , he has got the slower ones and he knows how to mix all of it. Everyone’s eyes will be on him as how well he comebacks after this long break.

Chris Lynn– A talented batsmen suited to t20 style format. He and De Kock can be a dream opening pair for MI but it would be real difficult for the management to utilize the Aussie big hitter.

Sherfane Rutherford – Mumbai Indians traded this hard hitting semi all-rounder with Delhi capitals. He has good hitting abilities and can be turn out to be a good backup for Kieron pollard. If needed.

Saurabh Tiwary –  The left handed middle order batsman made his name playing for Mumbai Indians in the early stages of IPL. He has the caliber of hitting big shots as well as play along the ground. He can be an efficient player in this lineup. But with Surya Kumar Yadav and ISHAN Kishan In the team, he might find it difficult to make it into the playing 11.

Anukul Roy – A young talented domestic cricketer who can make it into the playing 11 in few matches as an additional spinner. This former India Under -19 all-rounder can also be handy with the bat.

Mitchell Mclenghan – If you look at his performances for New Zealand, he hasn’t been as good as he is for Mumbai Indians. There is something special about Mumbai Indians and mclenghan as he consistently performed well for the franchise since he’s been a part of it. The management might also look onto him in few matches.

Dhawal Kulkarni –  One of those few players , who has has been a part and parcel of IPL since it’s beginning. This Mumbai based cricketer has played 90 matches in IPL and comes with a lot of experience to deliver.