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As always, the Mumbai Indians (MI) come into the Indian Premier League (IPL) as firm favourites. The defending champions have a well-rounded squad that has world-class players in all departments, and competition for spots in the playing XI will be higher than ever in IPL 2020.
MI will face off against eternal rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2020 season opener on the 19th of September. As Rohit Sharma's men prepare to orchestrate their first successful title defence in IPL 2020, we attempt to name the cricketers who will make up MI's playing XI.
MI's predicted playing XI for IPL 2020
Note: All players from Australia have been assumed to be available, with no official word yet regarding their participation in the first few games of IPL 2020.
Openers: Quinton de Kock (wk), Chris Lynn
Quinton de Kock is all but guaranteed to open the innings for MI in IPL 2020. The South African has been one of the team's most consistent players at the top of the order, and will don the gloves as well. Being a southpaw, he formed a devastating right-left opening combination with captain Rohit Sharma.
However, we predict that De Kock will be partnered by new signing Chris Lynn, pushing one of the greatest white-ball openers the game has ever seen in Rohit down to No. 3. The former Kolkata Knight Riders batsman has been lethal against the new ball in the IPL, and both he and De Kock will be at their best while opening.
Rohit, on the other hand, has batted lower down the order for both MI and the Deccan Chargers, and could make the sacrifice in IPL 2020.
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Middle Order: Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan
MI captain Rohit Sharma can't drop any lower than No. 3. The Indian limited-overs vice-captain is an IPL legend, although his form in recent years in the cash-rich league hasn't been as good as his displays in international cricket. Rohit will look to lead his team to their fourth IPL title and second in succession.
Perhaps the best uncapped player in IPL 2020, Suryakumar Yadav will want to finally earn a national spot with his performances this season. The classy right-hander has been a consistent performer for MI in the past, and the team are highly reliant on him to play the anchor role while the big hitters bat around him.
Youngster Ishan Kishan, who scored only 101 runs in 7 games last season, is expected to take up the final slot in the middle order. The explosive Jharkhand batsman is yet to justify his massive potential in the IPL, and he will be keen on proving his critics, who say that he plays too many reckless shots, wrong.
Spin-bowling all-rounder: Krunal Pandya
In a team that lacks too many quality spinners, Krunal Pandya will have to play a massive role for MI in IPL 2020. The left-arm spinner doesn't have a great IPL record so far, but he is one of MI's key players lower down the order and in the most difficult overs of the bowling innings.
Krunal is one of two spinners in this XI, and in the friendly UAE conditions, he will need to make sure that MI aren't found wanting in the department. Being a left-hander, he will also cause opposition bowlers headaches in the death overs.
Fast-bowling all-rounders: Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya
West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard will be one of the fast-bowling all-rounders in MI's playing XI for IPL 2020, and will serve as the 6th bowling option as well. The Trinbago Knight Riders captain has been in splendid form in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and although he hasn't bowled a lot for MI in the recent past, he has been rolling his arm over in the CPL.
Indian superstar Hardik Pandya will be the other fast-bowling all-rounder in the MI playing XI for IPL 2020. The Baroda man is a match-winner if there ever was one, and might have to give his captain 4 overs with the ball in all games. He is certainly capable of doing so, and his ability to take on the spinners makes him MI's X-factor in IPL 2020.
Bowlers: Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Young leg-spinner Rahul Chahar will be the lead tweaker in the MI XI during IPL 2020. The Rajasthan bowler has been accurate for the team in the past, but he will have to develop as a wicket-taking threat in the UAE. He will find assistance from the surface, and he will need to deliver if MI are to go far in the tournament.
In the absence of Lasith Malinga, Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be MI's go-to man at all stages of the innings. He will be ably supported by Trent Boult, who adds variety to the bowling attack and takes up the final overseas slot in the XI.
MI might consider including Nathan Coulter-Nile in place of Lynn to add some beef to the pace attack, but that might leave their batting looking a bit too thin. Plus, Boult's left-arm pace will be an asset both with the new ball and at the death, especially without Malinga in the picture.
MI's Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2020:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Chris Lynn, Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
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