IPL 2018, MI vs SRH: Mumbai Indians probable playing XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad

'Slow-starters to champions, that is our story' could be the tagline for the Mumbai Indians but the sentence has been overused this season. Losses in close encounters has been following the team tirelessly and has got them and their fans equally agitated.

The team is in a rather funny position where all their players are on top of their game, getting almost everything right except that last over. Trading the current XI's spots to any other player on the bench is likely to put out the same power and talent on the field. The team has balanced itself, firing for the ones who have gotten out for cheap or picking wickets for those who are getting hit. However, the last over saga has continued.

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Returning from a loss to the Rajasthan Royals, the Mumbai team would want to repeat their previous performance against the RCB in the forthcoming match. Struggling in the bottom end of the table, here's how the team would look to gain their precious points against the Sunrisers -

Rohit Sharma has returned to his cave of inconsistency after that blistering knock of 94 runs against the Bangalore franchise. He can definitely open the innings for his team this time, although he has been trying himself down the order. His previous blitzkrieg was played in the role of an opener as two wickets had fallen for them without a run being scored.

Joining him would be the Carribean batsman, Evin Lewis. After a poor start against CSK in the Wankhede, Lewis has backed himself and has accounted for an explosive start for the team. Tears definitely rolled down fans' cheeks as the opener was sent back for a golden duck but he surely remains a reliable opener for MI.

To follow them at 1-down, the man turning heads, Suryakumar Yadav is likely to walk in. He has been causing trouble to the opposing teams with his fireworks and thus, has a defined role for his team. Accompanying him would be Ishan Kishan. There has been just one instance where the youngster has got out for a duck (against RCB). Excluding that, the duo have gone on to boost the total for the team in all the innings they've played together. The Hyderabad bowlers will definitely be looking to eliminate these batsmen to hold an edge in the match.

If the skipper decides to open, then the lower middle order will make way for another Carribean brilliance, Kieron Pollard. The big man hasn't got to his explosive best for the MI as his Windies teammate, Andre Russell has for KKR. He hasn't got past the 30-run mark, getting out for a golden duck, 5, 28 and 21 in the matches he's batted. Yet, the team will be depending on him to hit a few maximums in the hour of need.

Joining him would be the Pandya brothers - Hardik and Krunal. Surprisingly enough, the elder brother has been outshining the younger this season. A stunning 22-ball 41 by Krunal had powered the MI to a par total in the league opener against the Chennai team. The all-rounder has been beneficial with the bat and the ball ever since. Post his injury, Hardik hasn't quite had the best of the seasons. The poster-boy of Indian team couldn't defend 10 runs against the RR team in the previous match and had also gotten out after belting one ball to the boundary. Despite the misses, the brothers are the treasures of the team and are likely to keep their places.

In the bowling unit, after trying Pradeep Sangwan and Ben Cutting, MI will continue with Mitchell McClenaghan in the pace attack along with Mustafizur Rahman and Jasprit Bumrah. Although two best death bowlers form the lead of their bowling department, it's a pity that the Mumbai team has failed to defend their total 4 out of 5 times, in the last over.

Mayank Markande, the pick of the season, will continue to trap batsmen with his bowling and partner the spin attack with Krunal Pandya. The youngster stands 4th in contention for the purple cap, with 8 wickets in his kitty.

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