IPL 10, Match 38, MI v RCB: Mumbai Indians Predicted XI

Mumbai Indians is going through a tremendous run in Vivo IPL 10 so far and they have looked one of the best two sides in the tournament. Whenever they were put under pressure, someone has put their hands up and delivered in crunch situation for them which is why they are sitting pretty at the top of the points table along with Kolkata Knight Riders.

A victory today against the depleted Royal Challengers Bangalore will definitely make them the first team to qualify for the playoffs. Be it in the batting, bowling or the fielding department, the team has looked a class apart and despite their middle order not gelling in the last few matches, they have managed to get over the line on two of the 3 times. So with an hour to go for the match to go let us have a look at the predicted XI for today’s afternoon clash

Openers (Parthiv Patel and Jos Buttler)

Southpaw Parthiv Patel played some delightful shots the other day and looked a class apart. He took on the Gujarat bowlers with disdain and his innings of 70 contained 9 fours and a solitary six. Until he was there Mumbai was cruising but after he fell there was a slide as MI didn’t manage to get over the finishing line.

On the other hand, Jos Buttler has also played some delightful wickets and packs a punch. He has the ability to decimate any bowling attack on his given day and has been a solid combination up the order with Parthiv. He has played some exceptional shots in the tournament so far and we might be in for yet another classic from his blade today.

Middle order (Nitish Rana, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard)

Left-hander Nitish Rana looked in ominous touch during the initial stages of the tournament and was even in contention for the orange cap but he hasn’t quite replicated his form in the last few matches which haven’t allowed Mumbai to get a platform in the middle overs. He will definitely look to get back to some run-scoring form against RCB today.

Captain Rohit Sharma’s valiant effort against the Rising Pune Supergiant went in vain as Mumbai lost the nail-biting thriller by a mere 3 runs. He has looked a shadow of his own but given the tournament is approaching the business end, he will look to pull his socks up and perform for his franchise on a consistent basis.

Caribbean lad Kieron Pollard has played some match-winning innings and it was innings which helped MI chase RCB’s total down in their previous encounter after being reduced to 7/4. He has struck some sensational blows and like always has executed some effortless blows to perfection.

Lower Middle order (Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya)

The Pandya brothers have been sensational in this tournament so far. The elder one, Krunal particularly has been the standout performer for MI and has chipped in with important runs and valuable wickets at crucial junctures of the game. Even in MI’s super over thriller against Gujarat, Krunal finished with exceptional figures of 3/14 in his 4 overs and then ensured MI tied the match.

Hardik has also played some mind boggling innings and though he hasn’t been as potent with the ball as his brother, his batting skills have given MI an edge over their oppositions. He has struck some effortless blows and will look to continue his power hitting form.

Bowlers (Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McCleneghan, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah)

Veteran offie Harbhajan Singh has been quite superb in the season so far and despite not bagging too many wickets, he has been very economical. He hasn’t conceded many runs in the middle overs which have allowed MI to stem the run flow of their opposition.

Left-arm seamer Mitchell McCleneghan has provided MI with some crucial wickets up front and has been a potent weapon for his captain. He has leaked runs but has already bagged 12 wickets in the tournament.

Slinga Malinga came back to some wicket taking form the other day and finished with figures of 2/33. He didn’t look at his menacing best but still was effective enough to dismantle the oppositions. He executed his slower balls pretty well and will like to go one step further today.

Now there will no superlatives to describe the super over he bowled against the Gujarat Lions. Despite conceding a wide and a no-ball Bumrah held his nerves and bowled exceptional Yorkers and deceived Brendon McCullum with his immaculate slower ones. We can firmly say that it was Bumrah who saved the two-time champions from the blushes.