The current IPL 2018 XI that can beat 2017 IPL champions Mumbai Indians

The eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League, with much fanfare and anticipation, kicked off on April 07, 2018.

During the course of past 32 days, we have witnessed some pulsating action in all facets of the game. While some of the stalwarts like Johnson, Yuvraj, and Maxwell have disappointed thus far, we have bear witnessed some exhilarating performances that have kept fans as well as the pundits on the edge of their seat.

On that note, today in this blog, we will form the greatest IPL XI for the 2018 season thus far that can challenge the 2017 champions Mumbai Indians.

With the likes of Simmons, Rohit, and the Pandya brothers in batting and Johnson, Malinga, and Bumrah at the death, The Mumbai Indians of 2017 played some pulsating cricket throughout the season, and eventually humbled the Rising Pune Supergiant in the finals to bring home the glory for the third time.

Here's the IPL 2018 Playing XI that can take on the 2017 champions Mumbai Indians.

Openers

#1 Suryakumar Yadav

Yadav has been in pulsating form thus far

The former Kolkata Knight Riders batsman was racked up by the defending champions Mumbai Indians in the 2018 IPL auctions.

In a batting order that has been pretty inconsistent, Yadav has been the bedrock of their fledgling attack, and have enthralled the fans with not only his power-hitting but also with his wristy flicks and cover-drives.

In eleven matches thus far, Yadav has accumulated 435 runs at an average of 39.54 and strike-rate of 130.23, including four fifties.

#2 KL Rahul

Rahul has been in blazing form thus far

KL Rahul has been in superb form in this IPL thus far. With a penchant of power-hitting coupled with classical stroke-play, Rahul has set the stage on fire thus far in this 2018 edition.

Having been the bedrock of KXIP's batting thus far, Rahul started the IPL with a superlative 13-ball 50 against the Delhi Daredevils.

Rahul (95 off 70 balls), who was the lone performer for KXIP in their 15-run loss to the Rajasthan Royals last night, has already accumulated 471 runs at an average of 58.87 and strike-rate of 156.47.

The duo of Yadav and Rahul at the top will be an ideal foil against the likes of Malinga, Bumrah, and Johnson in the powerplay overs.

Middle Order

#3 Kane Williamson

Williamson has been the bedrock of SRH batting thus far

With his immaculate game-sense and understanding of match situation, Kane Williamson has been a revelation for SRH this season.

A team that heavily relies on its bowling to deliver the goods, Williamson has been the bedrock of their batting unit. With four fifties in eight matches, Williamson has already accumulated 410 runs at an average of 51.25 and a strike-rate of 131.83.

A guy like Williamson at 3 would serve to anchor the innings, around which the shenanigans of the likes of Kohli and de Villiers can take over, in case the openers fail early.

#4 Virat Kohli

Kohli has amassed 396 runs in IPL 2018

In at No.4 will be Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli. While his team has endured another disappointing season, Virat Kohli- the batsman has enthralled us with his superlative batting.

In ten matches thus far Kohli has accumulated 396 runs at an average of 49.50 and a strike-rate of 135.15 which includes three fifties. Kohli's ability to maneuver the ball in the middle-overs along with AB's panache at five will serve as an ideal foil against the likes of Krunal Pandya and Harbhajan Singh.

#5 AB de Villiers

Mr 360 has been in full flow this season

Mr 360 AB de Villiers has been pulsating form this IPL season, and while his team has had a disappointing season thus far, AB has enthralled the fans with his pulsating stroke-play.

de Villiers has the ability to take the game away in a matter of mere balls and his presence at No.5 will serve as an ideal boost for the team in the middle-overs against the likes of Krunal Pandya and Harbhajan Singh.

In eight matches thus far, AB has already amassed 286 runs at an average of 56.00 and a Brobdingnagian strike-rate of 174.39.

#6: MS Dhoni (Wicketkeeper)

MS Dhoni

One of the fairytales of this IPL thus far has been the resurgence of MS Dhoni- the batsman.

After striking at 121.96, 135.23 and 116.00 in the last three seasons, Dhoni has shown glimpses of former self thus far in the tournament.

Dhoni has already amassed 360 runs at an average of 90.00 and a swashbuckling strike-rate of 165.89 including a match-winning 70 not out and a 51 off 21 balls against RCB and Delhi Daredevils respectively.

Spin Bowlers

#7 Rashid Khan

The vile leg-spinner from Afghanistan

The 2016 IPL champions Sunrisers Hyderabad have been on quite a roll this season, with the bowling at the helm, which has proceeded to bamboozle and choke the life of the chasing teams.

Having defended the modest targets of 119, 132 among others in the 2018 season so far, the Sunrise possess one of the best bowling attacks in the competition. At the heart of their bowling attack is the eighteen-year-old leg-spinner from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan.

With a plethora of varieties at his disposal, most prominent being the wrong'un, Rashid has been successful in choking the batsmen during the middle-overs and have thus far amassed 13 wickets at an average of 22.00 and a strike-rate of 18.46, and would be the key element along with Mujib against the likes of Rohit in the middle-overs.

#8 Mujib-Ur Rahman

The 17-year-old has made a statement thus far in IPL 2018

The 17-year-old Mujeeb ur Rahman continues to grow by leaps and bounds in the IPL.

With a plethora of variations at his disposal, the Afghan bowler has managed to deceive batsmen with his guile and unpredictable variations.

The bedrock of KXIP's bowling attack, Mujib has thus far accumulated 14 wickets in ten matches at an average of 18.64 and a miserly economy of 6.69.

Pace Bowlers

#9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The best death bowler in World Cricket today

There are few bowlers in World Cricket today, who you can trust at the death, and certainly, Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the pack.

The two purple-cap winner, Sunrisers Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been at it again this season, bamboozling batsmen in the death overs. In six matches thus far, Bhivi has picked up seven wickets at an average of 23.28 and strike-rate of 19.71.

With the likes of Pandya and Pollard in Mumbai's line-up, Bhivi and Ksul will serve as an ideal death bowling pair.

#10 Siddarth Kaul

Kaul has stepped up big time in the absence of Bhuvi

Kaul's death bowling in the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a cornerstone for SRH's bowling success this season thus far.

With ice-cool temperament and a variety of skills, most prominent being the knuckle-balls, Kaul has bagged 13 wickets at an average of 21.69 and economy of 7.05.

#11 Umesh Yadav (RCB)

Umesh has been brilliant in the Powerplay overs.

With most of his dismissals as bowled and LBW, Umesh has more often than not hit the right straps in the 2018 IPL, having accumulated 14 wickets at an average of 22.21 and a strike-rate of 16.35. In a bowling attack looking for consistency, Umesh Yadav has been Royal Challengers Bangalore's most potent bowler, especially in the powerplay overs.

Umesh's performance has not gone unnoticed as he earned his call-up to the Indian T20 squad for the England and Ireland tour, after a hiatus of six years.