IPL 2019 – Match 7: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians – MI Predicted Playing XI

Rishabh Pant and his scintillating knock at the Wankhede Stadium resulted in Mumbai Indians (MI) getting off to yet another poor start in the IPL. For the last seven years, the team never won its opening game in the league and have always been slow starters. But, they often catch up in the later stages of the tournament and somehow manage to make it into the playoffs.

However, it is not always possible for the three-time champions to win five or six matches on the trot towards the business end of the tournament. Thus, they will be looking for some early wins this year and will like to get started when they face the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). At the Chinnaswamy, the ball comes onto the bat nicely and it is usually dispatched into the stands by the batsmen. Thus, keeping the conditions in mind, MI could make a few changes to its eleven.

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

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

MI skipper Rohit Sharma has looked slightly off-colour with the bat in recent times. He will be opening the innings for the team and is just one knock away from getting back to his best. One of Rohit’s best knocks in 2018 came against the RCB where he scored 94 at the Wankhede but registered a golden duck when playing at the Chinnaswamy. He’ll want to make up for that and one could expect fireworks from him.

Quinton de Kock is in some terrific form of late. Even though he couldn’t get a big score in the first game against the Delhi Capitals, the way he hit the ball was very pleasing. The wicket-keeper batsman should enjoy batting against RCB, his previous franchise that let him go just before this season began.

Middle Order (Suryakumar Yadav, Yuvraj Singh)

Suryakumar Yadav was at his best opening the batting for MI last season. But, he has got to bat at three this year keeping in mind the combinations of the side. We didn’t get to see much of him batting at this new position in the game against the Capitals. A brilliant effort from Shreyas Iyer, where he ran his Mumbai teammate out, put curtains on his innings. Yadav will get another go to prove his worth when he plays in Bengaluru.

With his batting in the last game, Yuvraj Singh took the fans slightly back in time. Though, he is yet to get back to his best and has struggled against the short ball. However, this knock must have given him a great deal of confidence for the rest of the season. For now, he has sealed his spot in the eleven but has to perform consistently to stay in the mix.

All Rounders (Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Ben Cutting)

This year, MI is a side full of all-rounders. Kieron Pollard looked in good touch in the previous match and even smoked a few into the stands. Moreover, he has been working on his bowling in the nets. If he manages to deliver with the ball in the match as well, he will be a massive asset to the team. The Pandya brothers will follow him in the batting line-up.

Hardik might have batted a little too high in the last game. MI should switch Ben Cutting with that position in case they want to continue with the same order. Otherwise, Krunal Pandya can easily bat at number six and is too good to be coming in at number seven or lower. These four all-rounders have got to share at least eight overs in between them.

Bowlers (Mayank Markande, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah)

Rasikh Salam fared just as well as most of the other bowlers in the last match. But, the game against RCB will be a high-pressure one and could be a little too much to handle for the 17-year-old. Hence, MI might opt for a relatively experienced campaigner in the form of Mayank Markande. Rasikh can walk back into the eleven whenever the conditions will be in his favour again. Mayank has done quite well at the domestic circuit in the last year.

It was very shocking to see the best bowler in the world at the moment, Jasprit Bumrah, being smashed all around the park. Moreover, he also injured his shoulder during the game. But, he seems to be fine and is almost confirmed to play the upcoming match. Even though there might be a temptation about playing Lasith Malinga, there is still some uncertainty about his availability. Therefore, Mitchell McClenaghan might continue in the eleven.

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