As always, the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI) will be entering the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 as hot favorites. The Mumbai-based franchise has a well-balanced squad which will be increasing the selection headache for captain Rohit Sharma for selecting the best possible playing XI. MI will be knocking horns with the three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2020 season opener on September 19.
As Rohit Sharma and his men will be eyeing their first successful title defense in IPL 2020, we attempt to predict MI’s playing XI. Quinton de Kock is all but guaranteed to open the innings for MI in IPL 2020 as he will also be donning the gloves for the team. Being a southpaw, he formed a devastating right-left opening combination with Rohit Sharma. However, De Kock can also be exported to open the innings with Chris Lynn, who can be a lethal option against the new ball in the IPL.
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MI captain can also be expected to bat at No. 3 followed by one of the best-uncapped players in IPL 2020, Suryakumar Yadav, who has been a consistent performer for MI in the past, will be expected to play the anchor role at no.4 while the big hitters will bat around him. Youngster Ishan Kishan is also expected to take up the final slot in the middle order, but he is yet to prove his mettle as he has the tendency to play rash shots at crucial junctures.
In a team that lacks too many quality spinners, Krunal Pandya will have to play a massive role for MI in IPL 2020 and apart from that, he will also be playing a crucial role lower down the order and in the most difficult overs of the bowling innings. Krunal will need to make sure that the Mumbai-based franchise, aren’t found wanting in the spin department.
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West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard will be one of the fast-bowling all-rounders in MI’s playing XI for IPL 2020, and he can also be their 6th bowling option. In the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the Trinbago Knight Riders skipper has been in splendid form, and despite teh fact that he hasn’t bowled a lot for MI in the recent past, he has been rolling his arm over in the CPL.
India’s flamboyant all-rounder, Hardik Pandya will be the other fast-bowling all-rounder in the Mumbai Indians playing XI. He is a proven match-winner and might have to give his captain 4 overs with the ball in all the matches, which makes him MI’s X-factor in IPL 2020.
Young leg-spinner Rahul Chahar will be the lead spinner in the MI XI during IPL 2020, but he will need to take as many wickets as possible in the UAE, where he will find assistance from the surface. In the absence of Lasith Malinga, Indian fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who will be MI’s go-to man at all stages of the innings. He will be ably supported by Trent Boult, who adds variety to the bowling attack and takes up the final overseas slot in the XI.
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MI might consider including Nathan Coulter-Nile in place of Lynn if they were willing to enhance their pace attack, but that might leave their batting looking a bit too thin. Plus, Boult’s left-arm pace will be an asset both with the new ball and at the death, especially without Malinga in the picture.
Predicted XI of Mumbai Indians 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
