IPL 2020: Match 5, KKR vs MI – MI Predicted Playing XI

Since 2013, the Mumbai Indians (MI) have won the title on four occasions. However, since that year, they never won the first game of the tournament that they played in. The defending champions also failed to apply themselves well in the match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in what was their first game of IPL 2020. Despite getting a good start with the bat, they failed to capitalize. Thus, they were restricted to an average total.

Then with the ball, they failed to deliver resulting in a 5-wicket loss. In the upcoming game, they will be facing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). It is still early stages in the tournament and the MI team might not press the panic button as yet. For the next encounter, they are likely to stick to their strengths and will hope for better application this time around.

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

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

Rohit Sharma, in the last game, hit two crisp boundaries and looked to be in good touch. However, the MI skipper has had his issues facing leg-spin in T20 cricket. Even in the last game, he was dismissed by a leggie and that is something he will need to analyse and work upon.

Quinton de Kock will open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. The South African wicket-keeper seemed to be in sublime touch in the last game. While he scored 33 off 20 balls, he should try to convert his starts into big ones more often in the IPL.

Middle Order (Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary)

Suryakumar Yadav didn’t seem to find his zone in the previous encounter. In a way, he slowed down the proceedings for MI with his 16-ball 17-run knock. While that is acceptable for someone batting at three, he should make sure that he kicks on and makes it big if he is consuming as many balls early on in his innings.

Saurabh Tiwary‘s selection took many by surprise in the last match. Many couldn’t believe that he has preferred ahead of Ishan Kishan. But the Jharkhand cricketer justified his selection in the eleven with a 42-run knock. After that performance, he should most probably hold on to his spot in the side and could play this game against KKR.

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

Hardik Pandya seems to be in fabulous touch with the bat. The two sixes he smashed in the last game put on display how confident he is about his game at this stage of his career. However, he should not get over-complacent and must look to build his innings. Moreover, he can chip in with the ball even though his services were not utilised in the last game.

Kieron Pollard is an important member of the MI middle-order and should look to deliver with the bat in this game. He bowled in a few CPL 2020 games as well which provides MI with the flexibility in their bowling. Krunal, despite the ordinary performance in the last match, is expected to continue in the eleven.

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

James Pattinson did a fair job in the last game. He conceded 27 runs in 4 overs and even picked up a wicket. Rahul Chahar, however, needs to work on containing the run flow. He gave away 9 runs per over in the last match and must improve on that aspect.

Trent Boult also did a decent job in the previous game. His economy rate was under 7 and was great with the new ball. Jasprit Bumrah, though, is a real concern for MI. The premier pacer doesn’t seem to have found his rhythm back as yet. He also conceded 43 runs in the last game which badly affected MI’s chances. If he gets back to his best, he will turn out to be a massive asset for his team.