IPL 2019 – Match 24: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab – MI Predicted Playing XI

When a team defends a small target, it brings togetherness within the unit. They get to realise their true potential and that feeling often works wonders for the side. The Mumbai Indians (MI) experienced a similar feeling in their last game against Sunrisers. They were celebrating every wicket as if it were the final of the tournament and it was a joy to watch.

With this boosted morale, the Mumbai team gets back home to face the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in their next game. With someone like Alzarri Joseph joining in and clicking instantly, the MI eleven appears to be a lot more balanced. The only concern for them is the number four spot which has paved the way for a corridor of uncertainty.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for the Mumbai Indians (MI):

Openers (Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock(wk))

Rohit Sharma is yet to score big in the tournament. Form is not his solicitude at the moment. He is timing the ball well and is often hitting it from the middle. But the way he’s been getting out has been highly disquieting. The MI skipper should look to play long innings. He has enough hitters in his team to make it up even if he plays slow. Rohit can be lethal once he gets his eye in.

Quinton de Kock is likely to get a few more opportunities. The left-hander failed to make an impact in Hyderabad after getting off to a start. His problems have been quite similar to that of Rohit as he isn’t putting a price on his wicket. He is playing blithe cricket at the moment and must look to change things around.

Middle Order (Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard)

Suryakumar Yadav has failed to maintain the consistency as he did in the last season. But he will be playing the upcoming match at his home ground – The Wankhede. The last time he played here against CSK, Suryakumar played a vital knock and mustered 59 runs. He will have to play a similar role this time as well.

Ishan Kishan got his first opportunity of the season on what seemed to be a tough pitch to bat on. Replacing Yuvraj Singh in the eleven was a big call and the expectations were high on him. He looked good and did better than many other batsmen. He was unfortunate to have got run out but will surely look to make it big in the next game.

If you are a cricket fan, one of the most important rules is that you never write Kieron Pollard off. Every time he is thrown to the wolves, he comes back as the leader of the pack. He has finished two games in a row for his team and made the difference against SRH. He made the most of the revival and was unstoppable in the last game.

All Rounders (Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya)

The number five slot is quite an apt position for Krunal Pandya. Even though he suffered a rare misstep in the last game, he is someone who has got a very good potential of building the innings. Moreover, he bowls the difficult overs of the match and should like bowling in Mumbai where there is something on offer for everyone.

Hardik Pandya has probably never hit the ball any better. He is clearing the fence comfortably and is picking up his spots beautifully. The Baroda cricketer is playing every kind of shot and is posing a lot of questions for the oppositions to think about. His services with the ball weren’t used as much this season but can deliver a good one or two overs whenever required.

Bowlers (Rahul Chahar, Alzarri Joseph, Jason Behrendorff, Jasprit Bumrah)

Rahul Chahar is doing a decent job for the Mumbai Indians and has got to continue in the playing eleven. He has picked up the big wickets of Jonny Bairstow and Yusuf Pathan in the last match. After the dream debut where he registered the best figures ever in the IPL, there is no question about Alzarri Joseph’s place in the side.

The young pacer will have Jason Behrendorff and Jasprit Bumrah to share the pace duties with him. Jason Behrendorff was great in the game against CSK and did a recent job in the last game as well. Jasprit Bumrah is a certainty in the eleven and is bowling splendidly at the moment.

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