Mumbai Indians (MI), the IPL 2019 winner, started their IPL 2020 journey with the defeat against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). They lost that match by five wickets. But in their second match of the season against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 23rd September, they would like to register the victory to swoop in some confidence in the squad.
Rohit Sharma would not do much changes in the eleven played against CSK. But they lacked in spin bowling quality. Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar were the two spinners but they could not give the breakthrough required in that opening match. So, in the bowling department, MI might shuffle players from their squad to fit in the XI.
So, here, we have discussed how Mumbai Indians playing XI can shape in against KKR.
Openers: Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma
Mumbai Indians coached by Mahela Jayawardene would go with Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma as their opener. In the match against CSK, they could not give the expected start as both gave their wicket cheaply. The Proteas scored 33 off 20 balls at the strike rate of 165.00 while Rohit scored 12 off 10 balls.
But no doubt, both are the star performers in international cricket and will be delivering their best against KKR.
Middle-order batsman: Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary
Suryakumar Yadav and Saurabh Tiwary stabilise the innings for MI against CSK when Rohit and de Kock lost their wicket early. Tiwary was a shocking inclusion in the playing XI but he stood on the hopes of the captain. He scored 42 off 31 balls against CSK and hit some big sixes to trouble the bowlers. So, he will be backed in the match against KKR.
On the other hand, Yadav is the reliable batsman although he lost the wicket at the crucial match against CSK. In 2019, he amassed 424 runs to be MI’s second-highest run-getter. He bats at a very important slot and the defending champions will look up to him to shape their innings.
Allrounder: Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya
Hardik Pandya, coming back from injury, will undoubtedly in the playing XI even though his performance against CSK was not up to the mark. He hit two big sixes to change the momentum of the game but failed to build the match-winning partnership. Similarly, Kieron Pollard is one of the crucial players for MI. His inclusion in the playing XI is unquestionable.
But Krunal Pandya needs to prove his mettle against KKR because MI was not happy with his performance in the last match. He only scored three runs and was even expensive with the ball. The spinner picked one wicket at the economy rate of 9.25.
Bowlers: Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, James Pattinson, Ankit Roy
Trent Boult was excellent with the opening ball as he dismissed CSK lynchpin Shane Watson in the last match. In the upcoming match, MI would expect him to deliver the same and derail the KKR’s batting line up early.
Jasprit Bumrah was quite an expensive bowler against CSK, picking only one wicket while leaking 43 runs in his four-over quota. But indeed, he is the best T20 bowler
James Pattinson was the last moment replacement of Lasith Malinga. He was not expected to include in the XI because Nathan Coulter Nile was seemed to take place of Malinga. But Rohit surprised by backing Pattinson. He was the most economical bowler, picking one wicket at the economy rate of 6.75. So, the franchise will not change pace bowling combination.
But Rahul Chahar might be replaced with Ankit Roy. The former was not effective in the field. Although he picked the prized wicket of Ambati Rayudu, he could not control the run rate. So, the youngster Roy might get the opportunity. He played one IPL match last season.