IPL 2018: Match 55, DD vs MI - Mumbai Indians Predicted XI

Mumbai Indians (MI) will be facing Delhi Daredevils (DD) in yet another must-win encounter for them at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. The hosts are pumped up after a resounding win over the title favourites Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and have sent the signal to the defending champions that they won’t be able to just roll them over in this all-important clash. However, with the form Mumbai is in, they also must be feeling confident of triumphing over the home side to qualify for the playoffs.

Rohit Sharma will be urging his boys to give one final shot at the knockouts as anything can happen once they go through. This is not the first time they are facing such circumstances and are known to come out on top more often than not. They denied Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) with some stunning death over bowling to stay alive in the tournament and no wonder their confidence will be riding high going into this game.

Here we bring you the predicted XI of Mumbai Indians:

Openers (Evin Lewis, Suryakumar Yadav)

Evin Lewis and Suryakumar Yadav have so far been exceptional at the top of the order. The latter especially has set the stage on fire ever since he has been promoted to open the innings. The duo will have to do it again on a slow wicket at the Kotla Stadium. Also, they will have to make sure that they bat through after getting their eyes in as the new batsman struggle to even time the ball as it was evident in the recent game at the venue.

Lewis will probably find it tough to get going on this pitch if Mumbai decides to chase. He should try to smash the ball from word go which might help his cause and his aggressive nature can put the bowlers on the back foot. It will also be interesting to see, how he plays if they are invited to bat first as there will be no pressure of the required run-rate.

Middle Order (Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Kieron Pollard)

Ishan Kishan has not been consistent like he was earlier in the season. But his heroics against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) make him one of the dangerous batsmen in the line-up. If an early wicket falls, he will be the one to step up to the task of the run-scoring for his team. Rohit Sharma, the skipper, has strangely gone flop this year. he has failed to lead from the front which is probably the reason that the defending champions are fighting it out to make it to the playoffs. This is the last chance for him to come good as it is a must-win encounter for his team.

Kieron Pollard made a brilliant comeback in the last game and smashed a quickfire half-century. He got going when his team needed him the most. This season has been a little tough for him and was also dropped after consistently failing to score runs. But the champion players put their hands up in difficult circumstances which is what he did and will be now itching to play a match-winning inning and prove his worth again.

All-Rounders (Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Ben Cutting)

Krunal Pandya is a fighting cricketer and his fielding in the dying stages against KXIP was impeccable. He saved close to 8 runs in the space of four balls which made the difference in the end. He contributes to the fullest in whichever department possible and his partnership with Pollard was also crucial which set the platform for Mumbai to post a mammoth total on the board.

His brother Hardik Pandya has been on the receiving end with the ball in the last few matches. He is the highest wicket-taker for them with 18 scalps to his name but the economy rate is on the higher side. Hardik needs to bowl to a plan and help his skipper by bowling a decent four-over spell which will, in turn, work wonders for the team. Ben Cutting has played a role of filling in the overs of other bowlers so far and he has fared well. Coming in to bat in the last over mostly, he hasn’t disappointed at all and has added crucial runs which have proved to be decisive.

Bowlers (Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan)

Mayank Markande almost handed over the game to the opposition when KL Rahul launched him into the stands in the 16th over. But he is still learning and has come a long way ever since making his debut in the tournament opener. The team management will continue back him for this match as well which they have done throughout the season. Mitchell McClenaghan has bowled well at crunch situations this time. Though he has gone for runs, he has also picked wickets which makes him the valuable player of the team and the same is expected of him again.

Jasprit Bumrah once again proved his worth against KXIP as he snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat. The key wickets at the death led Mumbai to a resounding victory which has kept them alive in the tournament. He has 16 wickets to his name this season and is currently fifth in the race for the purple cap and he will have to continue in the same vein if Mumbai are hoping to go all the way this year.

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