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Mumbai Indians had a mediocre campaign last year as they failed to qualify for the knockouts finishing 5th in the tournament. The three-time champions have developed a habit of winning the trophy in the odd years as they won in 2013,2015 and 2017. Mumbai Indians struggled with the opening combination, lower-middle order stability, Rohit's poor form in the last season. With a few new purchases, they have plugged the gap which led to their downfall last time.
Mumbai Indians have bought six players in the 2019 IPL auction. Some key players are Barinder Sran, Lasith Malinga and Yuvraj Singh. They had traded Quinton de Kock from RCB during the transfer window.
With a lot of talents in their arsenal, MI will be looking to win their 4th IPL trophy this season. Without much ado, here is the ideal playing XI for Mumbai Indians.
#1 Quinton de Kock - Wicket Keeper
Mumbai Indians had to live with a make-shift opening batsman, Suryakumar Yadav, as they didn't have a partner for Evin Lewis because of Rohit's middle-order preference in IPL. Though Yadav did reasonably well, MI missed a regular opener. The former champions did not wait till the auction as they traded de Kock from RCB during the transfer window for his 2018 auctioned price.
The move turned out to be a masterstroke has de Kock, who struggled with RCB last season, has started finding his form in the International circuit. His match-winning quickfire hundred against Pakistan in the third Test match in January 2019 received rave appreciations from cricketing pundits across the globe.
De Kock's ability to attack the bowlers right from the word go will help Mumbai Indians to get an aggressive start.
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#2 Evin Lewis
Much was expected of Evin Lewis when Mumbai Indians bought him for 3.8 crore INR in the last auction. However, Evin Lewis didn't live up to his expectation last season for the former champions as he scored just 382 runs at a below-par average of 29.
The Trinidadian opening batsman has two T20I centuries against his name. He boasts one of the best strike-rates in T20s: 163.75. Lewis is currently ranking 4th in the ICC T20I batsman ranking.
Lewis's combination with de Kock will provide the necessary aggressive start for Mumbai Indians
#3 Ishan Kishan
The Jharkhand-born wicket-keeper has impressed everyone with his attacking batting abilities. In the last season, he played all the 14 games for Mumbai Indians scoring 275 runs at an impressive strike-rate of 149.46.
The former captain of the Indian U-19 team will look to improve his consistency this season as his form waned towards the end of the last year's IPL campaign.
The 20-year-old is currently leading the Indian Board President's XI against England Lions. Kishan's domestic performances are consistently impressive as he averages more than forty in both First-Class and List-A cricket.
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#4 Rohit Sharma
The Mumbai Indians captain endured a difficult 2018 IPL season. In fact, the last year's campaign was Rohit's worst in his 11-year IPL career. Rohit Sharma scored just 286 runs from his 14 games at a dismal average of 23.83.
On the contrary, his T20I form is impressive has scored 590 runs last year which includes two massive centuries. Rohit Sharma will look forward to replicating his International form in the IPL.
Rohit's presence in the middle-order gives stability to the batting line-up. With the purchase of de Kock, the MI franchise has clearly indicated us that Rohit will continue playing in the middle-order.
#5 Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav is one of the stalwarts of Mumbai domestic cricket. He has been playing for the Mumbai Ranji team for almost one decade. His experience will come in handy in the middle-overs for Mumbai Indians.
Mumbai Indians bought the right-handed batsman for a whopping 3.2 crore INR. He justified his price tag by scoring 512 runs opening the batting at an impressive average of 36.57.
However, there will be a change in role for the Mumbai batsman as he will be asked to play in the middle-order this time as Mumbai Indians have gotten de Kock and Lewis to take care of opening duties.
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#6 Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya has had a memorable 2018 as he made his debut of the Indian T20 side. The all-rounder has claimed six wickets from as many games at the highest level. Krunal's ability to contribute with the bat, ball and fielding make him an asset to the Mumbai Indians franchise.
The Ahmedabad-born cricketer has been playing for the former champions since 2016 playing almost every game. He has scored 708 runs from his 39 games at an impressive average of 30.78. He is equally good with the ball as he claimed 28 wickets with an effective economy rate of 7.12.
Krunal's all-around abilities will be key for MI's success this season.
#7 Hardik Pandya
The younger brother of Krunal Pandya, Hardik is having one of the worst phases of his sporting career. He is under suspension for his misogynistic comments on a TV show. The Indian all-rounder will be looking forward to getting back on the field as soon as possible.
For Mumbai Indians, Hardik has been one of the consistent performers for the past two seasons. In the last season, Hardik Pandya finished the campaign as one of the leading wicket-takers scalping 18 wickets at an impressive strike-rate of 14.22. He also has scored 260 runs with the bat last season.
Pandya will look to impress everyone in the IPL to safeguard his maiden ODI World Cup berth.
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#8 Mayank Markande
Mumbai Indians bought Mayank Markande for his base price of 20 Lakh INR and it turns out to be a bargain buy as he led their spin department with pristine last season. The Punjabi legspinner played all the 14 games for MI taking 15 wickets at an impressive average and strike-rate of 24.53 and 17.60 respectively.
The leg-spinner continued his impressive run in the domestic cricket proving everyone that he is not a one-season wonder. The 21-year-old is currently part of India A team which is facing the England Lions.
With Dravid's guidance, the Mumbai Indians starlet will only get better.
#9 Jason Behrendorff
Mumbai Indians bought Jason Behrendorff last season for a base price of one crore INR. However, the back-injury ruled him out of the whole tournament. The 28-year-old has been impressive in Australia's domestic cricket since his return from injury. He is currently in Australia's ODI scheme of things as made his debut against India this year.
The left-arm fast bowler has made his debut his T20I debut in 2017 taking a match-winning four-wicket haul in that series. His pace and bounce can trouble any batsman even on a flat surface.
Mumbai Indians will look forward to having him in the playing XI to provide a zeal in their fast bowling attack.
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#10 Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga is one of the legends of T20 cricket. He played a major part in Mumbai Indians winning three titles in the past six years. The lanky fast bowler did not find any bidder last season and hence MI named him as their bowling mentor.
The fast bowler made his return to the International side against England after a one-year absence. Since then, the 35-year-old has been consistent with the ball taking 17 wickets from just nine ODI games. In the two T20I games he played, he took four wickets.
With the World Cup around the corner, Malinga will be looking to get match fit. His presence in IPL will be a win-win to both the bowler and the franchise as he can help them win their 4th IPL title.
#11 Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has had an extraordinary 2018 season. He is currently one of the best bowlers in the world. In 2018, he has taken 22 wickets from just 13 ODI games. In Tests, he has taken 48 wickets from just nine appearances.
The lanky fast bowler has played a vital part in Mumbai Indians' success in the past six seasons. In the last season, the right-arm fast bowler has taken 17 wickets from his 14 games. His partnership with Malinga will be a lethal combination and the one to look forward to.
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