IPL 2018: Best Possible XI for Mumbai Indians

The defending champions Mumbai Indians had a great time building their team for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. At the IPL 2018 auctions, they managed to ensure that they keep the core group of player intact with themselves. MI retained the services of their captain Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Later, at the auctions, they used their RTM cards and shelled out big money to get back the services of Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard. They have certainly picked a bunch of very talented cricketers. But as has been the case with them over the years, they could face the problem of plenty. Selection conundrums are bound to soar high for them when the tournament arrives.

Having said that, it is always nice to have this problem of excess. Here we try to analyse the best possible combination they should go forward with in the IPL 2018. They are the only team who have won the coveted title thrice and with a side as strong as this one, they could well make it their fourth time.

Openers (Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan)

The strategy for the Mumbai Indians in the opening slot has had a template finish to hit. Last year, they had an opening combination of an Indian southpaw and a West Indies hitter. Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons did a fair job for the Mumbai side in the previous season. This year, neither of the two players are in the MI squad.

However, there are like for like replacements in the camp. In place of Parthiv, Ishan Kishan is likely to open the innings. Also, the young Jharkhand cricketer can don the wicketkeeping gloves. Another similar option could be Aditya Tare, but he is a right handed batsman. His partner is most likely going to be Evin Lewis – the hottest property in T20 cricket at the moment.

Middle-Order (Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, JP Duminy)

The middle-order looks set but a new one for sure. Rohit Sharma, unless he decides to open for his side, will take the number three slot. Over the years, the MI camp have shuffled Sharma’s position based on the needs of the team. Regardless of what position he plays in, the MI skipper has often delivered the goods for his side.

At number four, an Indian batsman could fit the bill. Up until the previous season, this berth belonged to Nitish Rana or Ambati Rayudu. But now, it is likely that Suryakumar Yadav will fit the position. Yadav will bring the local flavor to the Mumbai camp. Other alternatives at the slot could be Saurav Tiwary or Aditya Tare.

The MI camp can beef up their batting by including an overseas batsman in the middle order. This could be rightly served by veteran South African batsman JP Duminy. Duminy, who has played for the franchise before, is a strong hitter of the ball who can play long innings as well.

All-rounder (Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard)

The all-rounder department for the Mumbai Indians is stacked up with some of the best in the business. They managed to retain the services of the Pandya brother. While Hardik Pandya was retained prior to the auctions this year, Krunal made it to the roster yet again after Mumbai camp shelled out INR 8.8 crore for him.

Hardik has the ability to hit right from the ball one and has made a big name for himself as a prime hitter in the Indian cricket circle. Meanwhile, Krunal Pandya has also been in sublime form in domestic cricket. He was one of the top performers for Baroda this season.

In addition to the Pandya brothers, Mumbai Indians have the services of Kieron Pollard. The big burly Caribbean cricketer has been a key member of the Mumbai roster ever since the first edition of the tournament. He will continue to play a pivotal role in the lower middle order.

Spinners (Rahul Chahar)

In the spin bowling department, the MI camp no longer have the services of their perennial performer Harbhajan Singh and the leggie Karn Sharma. However, they have the services of a very potent young Indian leggie Rahul Chahar. Chahar who played for the Rising Pune Supergiant last year can do what Jagadeesh Suchith did for the MI team a couple of seasons ago.

Fast bowlers (Muztafizur Rahman/Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah)

In the pace bowling department, the Mumbai Indians will have a tough time picking up the pace bowlers. With no big Indian name in the department, they will have to rely on their overseas pacers to fire up. Either Pat Cummins or Mustafizur Rahman could fit in the side for their abilities depending on the pitch conditions. In case the think tank wishes to accommodate both these gentlemen, they will have to leave out an overseas batsman, which could potentially be JP Duminy.

The other pacer in the lineup will be Jasprit Bumrah. The talented Indian pacer is revered as one of the best limited overs bowler in the world cricket at the moment. The Mumbai camp had retained his services and hence, he becomes an automatic starter in the playing eleven.

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