IPL 2018: 5 reasons why Mumbai Indians can make it to the playoffs easily

#3 Destructive middle order

Hardik Pandya (Source: BCCI)

Mumbai Indians have a lot of firepower in their arsenal. The fiery openers are followed by the young Ishan Kishan and the captain Rohit Sharma. Both have the ability to score quicks runs and have been openers at some point or other, which will be helpful in case an early wicket falls.

The lower middle order is filled with very dangerous batsmen who boast of high strike rates. Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya form a formidable combination down the order as the three all-rounders have the ability to hit the ball a long way.

These three batsmen are in the top 5 list of players with highest strike rates playing for Mumbai Indians. Krunal Pandya is leading the pack with a career strike rate of 157.42. He is followed by Buttler and Pollard who have 145+ strike rates. Hardik Pandya is in fifth position, just behind Sanath Jayasuriya, with a strike rate of 142.81.

In the present Mumbai team, Krunal Pandya also has the highest average of 35.12 playing for Mumbai. The Pandya brothers are key to Mumbai's success both with the bat and the ball.