IPL 10, Match 22, KXIP v MI – Mumbai Indians Predicted XI

Mumbai Indians have had four outstanding games, winning all four on the bounce. They look the best side on display so far this tournament and are in the second spot in the points table. Rohit Sharma finally got some runs in Mumbai’s last game against Gujarat Lions where he saw through the chase to take his team home in the last over. Rohit’s form was a bit of a concern coming into the previous game but his coming good has ticked all the boxes for Mumbai.

Kings XI Punjab is playing this game at their adopted home Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. They are ranked 5^th in the points table and are coming in the game after a heart-breaking 5-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Manan Vohra’s thumping innings of 95 was not good enough to take them past the finishing line. They will need to start winning games if they want to finish in the final 4 at the end of the group stages.

Mumbai won’t make any changes in their XI but might think of giving their most successful bowler Malinga a break and getting Mitchell Johnson in the thick of things. Let us have a look at the Predicted XI for Mumbai Indians:

Openers (Parthiv Patel and Jos Butler)

Both wicket-keepers have had starts in this tournament but haven’t kicked on to get substantial runs for their side. Butler’s campaign has been disappointing so far as he has managed to get 108 runs in 5 innings. The think-tank of Mumbai has full faith in Butler though, as he is been persisted with despite low scores.

Parthiv has a similar record this year scoring just 91 runs in 5 innings. Both need to better their record if they want to make an impact. Mumbai will still go in with this opening combination. Being a left-right handed combination gives them an edge above the rest.

Middle Order (Nitish Rana, Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard)

The 2-time champion’s middle order is in top form and the most dangerous in the IPL. The rise of Nitish Rana this year has been exceptional. The 23-year old has been sensational so far this year scoring 193 runs in 5 innings. He has anchored the Mumbai innings in style and can also play the big shots at the end. Rohit Sharma will take a lot of confidence from his 40* against Gujarat. He has returned to the middle order to provide Mumbai with the right balance and can change a game in a matter of few overs.

Pollard’s contribution this year has been immense. His knock of 70 against RCB was one of the best knocks played under pressure. He followed it up with a 23-ball 39 which was instrumental in chasing down the target set by Gujarat. With runs behind him, Pollard can play more freely and look to dominate from the word go.

Lower Middle Order (Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya)

Krunal Pandya has been used as a floater in the batting order. He has responded well by making crucial runs whenever trusted with responsibility. His left-arm spin has been miserly and accurate and has provided the franchise with some crucial wickets.

Younger brother Hardik is not too far behind. He hasn’t been dismissed in 5 innings so far and has made 81 runs at a strike rate of 225. Both brothers have played the all-rounder’s l and give Mumbai depth in batting.

Bowlers (Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah)

Harbhajan Singh has been great so far this year and has not shied away from bowling in the Powerplay. He hasn’t got too many wickets so far but has put a check on the run-scoring. He can swing the bat effectively whenever given an opportunity with the bat.

Lasith Malinga went for plenty in the previous encounter but given his reputation especially in the shortest format of the game, he is unlikely to be removed from the XI. One likely replacement might by Aussie speedster Mitchell Johnson in place of a similar sort of a fast bowler Mitchell McCleneghan given the fact MI is in sensational form at the moment.

The Australian had a great BBL which shows that he hasn’t lost his pace and venom. McClenaghan, on the other hand, has been good especially in the last 2 games where he has collected 4 wickets, giving away just 44 runs in 8 overs. But given Mumbai’s domination in the tournament so far, we might be in for a surprising element in store.

Jasprit Bumrah has been off-colour but will still walk into the team. An economy rate of 8.80 in 5 games doesn’t do justice to his talent. It is a matter of time for Bumrah to come good. Mumbai Indians bowling has a lot of variety and the inclusion of Johnson will also bring a lot of experience to the table.