IPL 2016: Mumbai Indians Predicted XI

Defending champions Mumbai Indians will start IPL 2016 as one of the favourites. The Blue army, after having won the title twice in 2013 and 2015, will be aiming to lift the trophy for the third time and become the first team to do so.

The Mumbai franchise has a formidable squad after having retained its core before the auctions skipper Rohit Sharma, Parthiv Patel, Lasith Malinga, Harbhajan Singh, Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons, Corey Anderson, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Unmukt Chand and Marchant de Lange were all retained. Newly acquired names like Jos Buttler, Krunal Pandya, and Nathu Singh also have a lot to offer.

Despite being poor starters in the past few seasons, Mumbai Indians have thrived as a result of consistent performances from the big names in the team. They are known to peak at the crucial time and pick up the momentum. Last year Mumbai only managed one win from the first six games before dramatically turning around their fortunes to clinch the title. Mumbai Indians will start their title defense against IPL debutants Rising Pune Supergiants led by MS Dhoni on April 9.

Lendl Simmons:

Lendl Simmons has been the regular opener for the Mumbai Indians side since the time he debuted in the 2014 season for the franchise. The West Indian has had a good time in the IPL, scoring runs consistently. His aggregate of 540 runs in 13 games played a huge role for MI in their title win last year. On top of it all, he is currently in great touch with the bat. His match-winning 51-ball 82 runs blitz at the Wankhede in the World T20 semi-final against India is still fresh in all our minds.

Parthiv Patel:

Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel was the regular opener for the MI side last year and enjoyed fair bit of success. He has been highly impressive with the bat for Gujarat in the last domestic season. Patel finished as the 4th highest run-getter in the 20 overs domestic competition Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The 31-year-old also successfully led his team to their maiden Vijay Hazare trophy title, scoring 295 runs in the tournament including a century in the final against Delhi.

Rohit Sharma (C):

Rohit Sharma, the skipper of the side, is currently going through a rough patch in the limited overs format but will definitely get back among runs as the IPL begins. He struggled in the Asia Cup. His time in the World T20 was also forgettable to a large extent. However, Sharma showed signs of coming back to form with a positive 43 runs knock in the semis. The defending champions will certainly hope for him to come good.

Kieron Pollard:

Kieron Pollard, unfortunately, missed out on playing the World T20 due to a knee problem but recovered in time for the IPL. Pollard is a true entertainer has being a consistent performer for the Mumbai franchise in the past. The giant Trinidadian hard hitter had a good season last year where he scored 419 runs in 16 games and will surely be itching to make an impression this year too, especially after an injury layoff.

Ambati Rayudu:

Though Ambati Rayudu has been out of favor as far as the Indian team is concerned but he is surely an integral part of the Mumbai Indians team and the 30-year old will once again go out there to prove a point. Rayudu 281 runs in the last season batting lower down the order, the team has more often relied on him in giving them the finishing touches with the bat.

Jos Buttler (wk):

Jos Buttler is one of the key men in the new look England team which has pressed its dominance in limited overs cricket in recent years. A specialist wicketkeeper-batsman Buttler’s aggressive batting flair in the middle order makes him an asset for his team. His addition into Mumbai Indians squad definitely adds more muscle in the team. The 25-year-old has been in tremendous form and is fresh from a pretty successful World T20 campaign with England where he finished as the 2nd highest run getter for his team with 191 runs in 6 matches with an average of 47.75 at an explosive strike rate of 159.16.

Hardik Pandya:

The story of Hardik Pandya has been fascinating. Pandya saw a drastic turnaround in his fortunes after his time with the Mumbai franchise last year. His heroic cameos last year played a crucial role for Mumbai Indians. This year, too, the seam bowling all-rounder will play a vital role for his the team. Pandya recently made his debut for India and promises to be the next big thing. Pandya has played 16 T20Is so far in his international career where he has made 78 run in 7 innings batting in the lower middle order. With the ball, the seamer has picked 15 wickets with best bowling figures of 3/8.

Harbhajan Singh:

Being the lead spinner, Harbhajan Singh will shoulder the responsibility of the spin bowling attack. The veteran off-spinner, who recently made a comeback into the national, has been highly successful for the Mumbai team and has reaped great success, especially in the last 4 seasons. The Turbanator has played 111 matches in his IPL career and has taken an impressive 110 wickets at an average of 24.79 while maintaining a tight economy rate of 6.87 runs per over.

Jagadeesha Suchith:

The left-arm spinner from Karnataka made his debut for the Mumbai Indians last season and played in all the matches for them. He fared well and did not disappoint, finishing with 10 wickets from 13 matches with best bowling figures of 2/14 which came against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Suchith is also a handy lower order batsman as well and he bowled well in tandem with senior pro Harbhajan.

Mitchell McClenaghan:

New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan was probably the find of the last season for Mumbai Indians. Not many knew McClenaghan before the start of the season but by the end of it with 18 wickets in 12 matches with the best of 3/16, he ensured the world took notice once he walked back. In absence of Lasith Malinga whose injury remains a concern McClenaghan will be leading the MI pace attack in the upcoming season.

Jasprit Bumrah:

Jasprit Bumrah has mesmerized everyone with his fast bowling skills. He has been a true revelation for the Mumbai franchise and recently broke into the Indian team, establishing himself as the death over specialist. Bumrah’s unique capability to fire pinpoint yorkers makes him very special and a perfect death bowler.