Mumbai Indians are the defending champions as the four-time IPL winners defeated Chennai Super Kings in a thriller last year to win IPL. Brad Hogg, who is a former Australian spinner believes that Mumbai Indians are favourites to finish as table toppers and will definitely enter the playoffs but one flaw in the plan can be critical and hinder the team’s prospects to win a record 5th title.
They will look forward to defending the title as their team comprises of some of the top quality cricketers from around the world. Mumbai Indians are the most successful team in IPL. They have won 4 IPL titles in 2013,2015,2017 and 2019 besides winning the CLT20 twice in 2011 and 2013. All the IPL wins came under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.
Mumbai Indians Will Find It Difficult To Pick 4 Foreigners In Final XI
But one major flaw is the selection table as the balance of picking up four overseas players is doubtful. There are abundance of superstars international cricketers like Kieron Pollard, Chris Lynn, Nathan Counter-Nile, Quinton De Kock, Mitchell McClenaghan, Sherfane Rutherford, Trent Boult and Lasith Malinga but to pick up 4 players is a herculean task. The balance should also be maintained which makes it even more difficult.
“Mumbai Indians are going to finish on top of the regular season. Will they take out the final, let’s wait and see. The edge for the Mumbai Indians is their quality top four,” Hogg said in the latest video uploaded on his Youtube channel.
“They have an abundance of all-rounders, good spinners but they have got the best pace battery in the IPL this year. The flaw for them is the selection table, what balance are they going to utilize with their overseas players to make up a prominent XI? That will be their big issue,” Hogg further added.
Lasith Malinga, Chris Lynn, Kieron Pollard and Quinton De Kock is the possibilities to feature in XI but the presence of Trent Boult and Nathan Counter-Nile makes the battle to pick 4 foreigners more interesting.
Brad Hogg Picks Up Suryakumar Yadav As Standout Performer For MI
Brad Hogg picked up Suryakumar Yadav as he feels the quality batsman who has shown progress over the last couple of years can be in the top 5 run-scorers of IPL.
Speaking on which player can be the standout this year for MI, Hogg picked a surprise name. “The standout for the Mumbai Indians is going to be Suryakumar Yadav. I am just thinking this quality batsman is going to come along this year.
“He showed progress over the last couple of years. He was really enjoying with the Mumbai Indians and he is liking his position in that middle-order. Watch out, I think he will be in the top 5 run-scorers of this particular tournament,” he added.
Mumbai Indians will be led by Indian opener vice-captain Rohit Sharma and will have an abundance of Indian cricketers like Jasprit Bumrah, Anukul Roy, Dhawal Kulkarni, Hardik and Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Ishan Kishan to name a few.