IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians Best Possible XI

Fast Bowlers

Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah

Mumbai contains perhaps the most lethal combination of the fast bowlers who can put the breaks on any team’s run scoring. Malinga has been associated with the side since the first year and is currently the leading wicket-taker in the league with 143 scalps to his name, far ahead of the rest.

His partner Jasprit Bumrah has taken a leaf out of his fellow pacer’s book when it comes to bowling yorkers. Both can crush the toes of the batsmen at will and have unusual actions that make it extremely difficult for the batsmen to pick. Both of them incorporate wonderful changes of pace with minimal changes in the actions.

Possible Replacements

The squad looks very balanced on paper and demands no changes. Yet in the case of injuries or poor forms, they have several options available that can fill in the void immediately. They have world class overseas fast bowlers in Mitchell McClenaghan, Tim Southee and newly bought Mitchell Johnson who can come in for Malinga if required.

Karn Sharma is another option they might look for in case extra specialist spinner is needed and he could be a replacement for Krunal Pandya or Parthiv Patel for that matter who can hand over the gloves to Jos Buttler and Rohit can be pushed up the order to open the innings.

Their economy buys of Nicolas Pooran and Asela Gunaratne and the new batting sensation of Krishnappa Gowtham could be potential replacements for Pollard if he doesn’t gain back his form in time.

Mumbai Indians’ final squad for IPL 2017 

Rohit Sharma (c), Harbhajan Singh, Ambati Rayudu, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Gopal, Vinay Kumar, Parthiv Patel, Nitish Rana, Siddhesh Lad, J Suchith, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Punia, Jitesh Sharma, Tim Southee, Jos Buttler, Mitchell McClenaghan, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Johnson, Karn Sharma, K Gowtham, Kulwant Khejroliya, Asela Gunaratne and Nicholas Pooran.