IPL 2019: 3 Mumbai Indians players to watch out for

Another season of the world's biggest T20 league is just around the corner; the excitement for IPL 2019 is getting too damn high. The tournament is expected to get underway from March 23.

One of the most successful teams in IPL history, the Mumbai Indians, had a forgettable last season as they failed to qualify for the playoffs despite having a strong squad. They managed to win just 6 out 14 matches they played in IPL 2018.

However, he franchise will be one of the favorites to win the IPL 2019 as they have a very strong squad this time as well. Their team is looking well balanced, with a good mix of experience and youth.

The team led by Rohit Sharma will be eyeing their fourth IPL title. Here, we take a look at three players from the team we all need to watch out for.

#3 Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock will be seen playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019

Mumbai Indians acquired Quinton de Kock from Royal Challengers Bangalore during the IPL trade window. With the addition of De Kock, Mumbai Indians' batting is looking even stronger than before.

The 26-year-old will play a key role at the top of the order for the franchise in IPL 2019.

De Kock has a decent IPL record. So far, the South African wicketkeeper-batsman has played 34 matches and has scored 927 runs at an average of 28.09 and strike rate of 130.37, with 6 fifties and a century. 108 is his highest score, which came against Royal Challengers Bangalore while playing for Delhi Daredevils during IPL 2016.

It will be interesting to see in how many matches he features in the Mumbai Indians' playing XI this season as the franchise already has some great overseas T20 players like Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan and Lasith Malinga.

De Kock will want to make the most of his opportunities by performing well every time he gets to bat.

#2 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh

One of the best left-handed Indian batsmen of all time, Yuvraj Singh will be seen playing for Mumbai Indians in the 12th edition of the IPL.

Yuvraj failed badly in IPL 2018 while playing for Kings XI Punjab as he scored just 65 runs from 8 matches at a modest average of 10.83 and strike rate of 89.04. But Mumbai Indians will expect Yuvraj to turn things around this year.

The 37-year-old has never been a consistent performer in the tournament. His IPL numbers don't do justice to his talent as he has never managed to cross the 400-run mark in a single season.

So far, the veteran has played a total of 128 matches in the IPL and has scored 2652 runs at an average of 24.78 and strike rate of 129.68, with 83 being his highest score. While bowling, he has picked up 36 wickets from 73 innings at an average of 29.92 and economy rate of 7.44.

With age not on his side, this could be the last IPL season for Yuvraj. So he will want to end his IPL career on a high by doing well in the 12th season of the tournament.

#1 Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan is an encouraging young talent, to say the least. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman will be one of the key players for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming season of the IPL.

The 20-year-old underperformed in the previous season by his standards, as he scored just 275 runs from 14 innings at an average of 22.91 and strike rate of 149.45. But he showed us a glimpse of his talent when he hit Kuldeep Yadav for four consecutive sixes. He scored 62 off just 21 balls with the help of 6 sixes and 5 fours in that innings.

Kishan's overall IPL numbers don't do justice to his aptitude as he has scored just 594 runs from 30 matches at an average of 22.00 and strike rate 137.82. But he will surely want to improve his numbers in the upcoming 12th season.

IPL 2019 will be a very important tournament for Kishan's career. It will be quite interesting to see how he utilizes his opportunities in the tournament.