IPL 10, Match 48, SRH v MI: Mumbai Indians Predicted XI

The Mumbai Indians are on a roll at the moment. In their previous match, they spoiled the party for the Delhi Daredevils. The Daredevils were in a position from where they had to win all their games to qualify for the playoffs. However, they were up against the mighty Mumbai Indians who put their campaign to a standstill. Moreover, for the MI camp, the win marked them to be the first team to qualify for the playoffs.

Now, MI is up against the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad. The SRH team is in a similar situation that the Daredevils were in prior to their meeting with the Mumbai franchise. SRH needs to win their remaining two fixtures to make it to the final four. Hence, they are under a big threat of being ousted from the race if they fail to win against the Mumbai team.

For MI, things are pretty chilled out at the moment. They have their players firing in, their players are chipping in with contributions, and they are high on confidence. Also, the fact that the fortress of SRH was breached by Rising Pune Supergiant in their previous game will take a toll on their confidence levels. That said, both teams will put their best combinations forward in the game.

Here is a look at the Mumbai Indians Predicted XI for the SRH v MI encounter:

Openers (Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons)

Parthiv Patel has been a consistent run-getter in this season. He carried forward his good run of form from the domestic circuit to the IPL as well. In the tournament, he has been very successful in giving brisk starts to the team in the powerplay. Batting alongside the likes of Jos Buttler and Lendl Simmons in the opening capacity, Patel has carved a name for himself.

Lendl Simmons has been a perennial run scorer for the Mumbai team. In the 2015 edition of the tournament when the MI won their second IPL title, Simmons was a key player on their roster. He was their top run scorer in the season. Now, with Jos Buttler being on national duty, Simmons has got his opportunity yet again. He showed great form in his first outing with 66 to his name.

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

MI skipper Rohit Sharma is perhaps the only player who is yet to stamp his authority in the tournament from his team. He has scored two fifties this season but has largely struggled against the slower bowlers. He has had a string of single digit scores haunting him in one phase of the tournament. The star player would want to overcome that.

Nitish Rana has been a revelation for the Mumbai camp this season. He has not got his share of batting in the last few games and has got out to low scores as well. Rana, who was a top contender for Orange Cap this season, is certainly due for a big knock now.

Kieron Pollard has been in fine form this season. He has silenced all his critics with consistent showing with the bat. In the previous game, he was promoted to the number three spot and the big West Indian responded in some style. He hit a fifty to set things up for his team against the Delhi Daredevils.

All-rounders (Karn Sharma, Hardik Pandya)

There are still dark clouds hovering over the participation and fitness levels of Krunal Pandya. Well, even if he fails to recover for the game, the team has found an ideal replacement in Karn Sharma. Karn bagged figures of 3/11 in the previous game to stamp his authority in the playing eleven. Also, he is capable of using the long handle as well.

While the senior Pandya is injured, the junior one – Hardik Pandya – looks set to get another game. Hardik has been the key player for the Mumbai Indians this season and has been slowly settling in the role of the finisher for the team. He provides the late onslaught needed to give impetus to the innings.

Bowlers (Harbhajan Singh, Lasith Malinga, Mitch McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah)

One thing that has worked really well for the Mumbai Indians this season has been their bowling. All bowlers have bowled tight lines. Even on days when one of the bowlers has had an off day, the others have stepped onto the occasion and covered up for the others. Harbhajan Singh looks in sublime form and is yet to concede more than 30 runs in a spell in the tournament.

The pace trio of  Lasith Malinga, Mitch McClenaghan, and Jasprit Bumrah has been going all guns blazing. Malinga struggled with his form in the initial bit of the tournament. However, in the last few games, he has come up with much-improved showing which has helped the cause of the MI camp.

Mitch McClenaghan has been the leading wicket taking option for skipper Rohit Sharma this season has well. On most occasions, the Kiwi pacer has provided the early breakthroughs for the team. He has continued his good form throughout the tournament thus far.

Jasprit Bumrah was looking rusty in the season. But ever since he bowled that magnificent Super Over against the Gujarat Lions at Rajkot, he seems to have been beaming with confidence. His bowling spells have improved and that has only been an addition to the firepower of the MI bowling attack.