IPL 2019: Ideal overseas combination for Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians, the three-time champions, made headlines during the auctions when they bought Yuvraj Singh for 1 crore and also bought back the tournament's leading wicket-taker Lasith Malinga. The trade of Quinton de Kock from RCB, just ahead of the auction, was another highlight.

Talking of the balance of the squad, the MI do have good enough resources to help them lift their fourth title. But what will be one of the biggest factors in deciding their fate is how well they replicate the balance in the squad to balance the XI. Another factor is the form of key players, which was a major setback for them in the previous season.

The batting looks more or less settled, and so does the bowling, despite the release of Pat Cummins and Mustafizur Rahman. Here we look the best possible overseas combination for the Mumbai-based franchise.

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Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock was traded from RCB and should fit in as an opener

The Proteas wicket-keeper was bought in during the trading window from RCB. De Kock, one of the top openers in ODIs at the moment, fits in perfectly into the side as an opener. Evin Lewis, who opened last season, did not do much wrong but was not that consistent as MI would have wanted him to.

De Kock will be a more reliable option not only with the bat but also as a wicket-keeper. With the possibility that Rohit Sharma might be opening the batting this year, the combination of Rohit and Quinton already looks one of the best and most devastating in the tournament.

Ben Cutting

With Pollard's form on the wane, Cutting is the ideal candidate for the finisher role

Mumbai have a pretty settled and formidable middle order, filled with power hitters and all-rounders. Ben Cutting fits in as the finisher for his side, a role previously played by Kieron Pollard. With Rohit and de Kock opening, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Yuvraj Singh, and the Pandya brothers will form the middle order.

Cutting will have the responsibility of being the sixth bowler as well, something which gives him the edge over the West Indian. Also, Pollard's form has not been good enough for quite a while now, while Cutting proved his worth in the limited opportunities he got last year.

Jason Behrendorff

The left-arm quick has all the ingredients to become a successful T20 bowler

The left arm pacer from Australia, who impressed one and all during his 4-wicket burst in a T20 game against India and then again in the limited overs series against India in Australia, has to be the first choice overseas pacer for MI. The Perth Scorchers seamer is a perfect T20 bowler, with a variety of tricks in his bag.

Behrendorff has been amongst the wickets in the domestic circuit. His ability to swing the ball with pace makes him the ideal candidate to partner Bumrah with the new ball as well as at the death.

Mitchell McClenaghan

McClenaghan has always been amongst wickets for MI

Not in the national side for quite some time now, Mitchell McClenaghan has been a consistent performer for the three-time champions. The left arm pacer brings in the much-needed variety and has always been amongst wickets. He is also a handy pinch hitter.

McClenaghan, with his experience, pips his country-mate Adam Milne, though both are capable of troubling the batsmen with their pace and bounce. Also, Lasith Malinga, who served as a bowling mentor last season, will be back this time. But it is highly unlikely the veteran from the island nation will be a regular feature in the side, considering his fitness and the fact that he needs to remain injury-free before the world cup.

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