Mumbai Indians (MI) will be desperate to register their first win of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 when they face Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the MCA Stadium on Wednesday. It has been a nightmarish start for MI in the season so far, although they are known for their slow starts. Apart from their batters’ inability to go big, the below-par performance by the bowlers has made things hard.
It seems pretty difficult for MI to make a comeback from here as they are placed ninth on the points table but skipper Rohit Sharma would be eager to turn things around, not just for the team but for himself, as well. Rohit has not been the influential batter that he normally is for his franchise and will have to lead from the front. On the other hand, with two wins and as many losses, PBKS is lying seventh in the standings and comes into the game on the back of a defeat against Gujarat Titans.
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MI, though, will be up against a quality Punjab attack led by Kagiso Rabada and faces a tricky task against the likes of Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora or Arshdeep Singh. The Mumbai bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, have not been able to deliver goods so far in the tournament. The current attack comprising leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin, Basil Thampi, and Jaydev Unadkat will have to support Bumrah, who will be keen to recreate his magic. The trio’s 12 overs will be crucial if MI’s fortunes are to change.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
MI has been struggling to get a perfect combination this season. Ishan Kishan and skipper Rohit Sharma will continue as the openers, however, Sharma’s form is a big concern. Dewald Brevis might get one more chance at no 3. Suryakumar, Tilak, and Pollard will form the middle order. Ramandeep Singh might be replaced by someone like Fabian Allen who bowls left-arm spin and is a lethal batter down the order. The bowling lineup is likely to remain the same.
Probable XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Fabian Allen, Murugan Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat/Tymal Mills, Basil Thampi
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Nathan Ellis has completed his quarantine period and is available for selection in this game. Ellis will slot into the eleven straight away replacing Odean Smith who was at the receiving end when Rahul Tewatia tonked for a couple of sixes in the final over of the last game against Gujarat Titans. Arshdeep Singh also hasn’t been taking wickets consistently. He could get replaced by Sandeep Sharma. Skipper Mayank Agarwal’s form is a big concern at the top order. He has to deliver and deliver quickly to give his team some good starts.
Probable XI: Mayank Agarwal (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow/Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Odeon Smith, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora
Fantasy XI suggestion 1:
Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma (vc), Mayank Agarwal, Shikhar Dhawan, Dewald Brevis, Liam Livingstone(c), Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada
Fantasy XI suggestion 2:
Ishan Kishan (vc), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Liam Livingstone, Kieron Pollard, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Vaibhav Arora, Murugan Ashwin
