IPL 2018: Mumbai Indians squad analysis

#1 Batting

Skipper Rohit Sharma holds the key for Mumbai Indians batting order

The batting department of the Mumbai Indians squad looks pretty good on paper. Rohit Sharma holds the key to the success of this batting lineup. Sharma is one of the finest limited overs players in the country and the likes of Surya Kumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwari, Ishan Kishan, Siddesh Lad are all capable of changing the fortunes of the match on any given day.

However, it is the inclusion of Evin Lewis that gives them the X-factor. In his 14 match young career, Lewis has already scored a couple of T20 International centuries and is a massive hitter of the ball. Lewin considers Chris Gayle as his mentor and if Lewis gets going at the top, the power play overs will be thoroughly entertaining for the MI fans. Either Rohit Sharma or Ishan Kishan can open with Evin Lewis. If the former decides to open, the right-left hand combination will also come into play.

In case Mumbai Indians see the need to bring further solidity to their batting lineup, JP Duminy (career average of 39.86, better than that of captain Rohit Sharma) can do so in a middle-order packed with big hitters and can have a critical role to play as far as the balance of the side is concerned.

Mumbai Indians will have to decide on who will keep wickets for them. While Aditya Tare has done the job in his past stint with the Mumbai Indians, Ishan Kishan keeping the wickets and batting at the top order may allow for an extra batsman in the middle order. Perhaps one of them can play as a pure batsman too, to help the balance of the side.

MI would hope to find this balance as soon as possible.