IPL 2020: Match 17, MI vs SRH – MI Predicted Playing XI

The Mumbai Indians (MI) might have lost their first game to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, they bounced back hard after that. They defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their second game by 49 runs. Then, in the game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), they tied the game but lost the Super Over. Immediately after this loss, they bounced back with a big 48-run win against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).

Mumbai will be playing the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday in Sharjah. With short boundaries and a wonderful batting track, MI will fancy their chances of winning this encounter. They have got a settled base and the current combination they have in place looks quite strong. However, they are still are few concerns with some of the players and will take lead to any changes to the eleven?

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

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

Rohit Sharma has seemed to be in fine form and is the leading run-scorer for MI this season. The skipper has led from the front in the UAE scoring 170 runs in 4 games including two half-centuries. His eyes will be lit up when he sees the track at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and will like to make the most of the conditions.

MI will hope that Quinton de Kock also finds his touch back while playing in Sharjah. The South Africa skipper has had tough going so far in the tournament. He only scored 48 runs in 4 matches out of which 33 came in the first match. If he can’t get going in this match as well, MI will be forced to look for options beyond him.

Middle Order (Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan)

Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for just 10 runs in the last match. A brilliant throw from Mohammed Shami caught him short of the crease and hence he was run-out. The right-hander, however, is still an important member of the line-up. He would like to put up a good total in this match. Ishan Kishan, who played a heroic knock against RCB, was seen struggling against KXIP. However, with the better batting conditions that are on offer now, he would like to make a better impact this time around.

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

Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya were ruthless with the bat in the last game in the death overs. The Caribbean cricketer took some time to settle in initially. But once he got his eye in, he was absolutely brutal. He was the ‘Man of the Match’ for his knock of 47 off 20 balls which propelled MI to a massive 191 runs. He smashed four sixes and three fours and can be unstoppable while playing in Sharjah.

Hardik Pandya also hit the ball brilliantly and got into the thick of things with some massive shots. He raced his way to 30 off only 11 balls and helped his team score some important runs in the last few overs. Krunal Pandya, meanwhile, seems to be getting into his zone with the ball. He gave away 27 runs and picked up a wicket in the last match.

Bowlers (James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah)

With his performances, James Pattison has given some selection headaches to MI management as the likes of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mitchell McClenaghan are only warming the bench. But since he’s been consistent, the franchise will continue with him. He picked up two wickets in the last match. Even Rahul Chahar has done well with the ball and is the joint-leading wicket-taker for MI currently. He has got 6 wickets from 4 games.

Trent Boult also picked up 6 wickets and has got an economy rate of 8.41. Jasprit Bumrah, however, is a slight bit of concern for the side. He has had mixed performances so far but was good in the last game. He not only picked up 2 wickets but also had an economy rate of 4.5. The pace spearhead will hold the key while playing at Sharjah and needs to nail his variations if MI is to make an impact with the ball.