IPL 2019 – Match 51: Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – MI Predicted Playing XI

It is no secret that Mumbai Indians (MI) were always the slow-starters. However, this season was different. They set the ball rolling right from the start which held them in good stead throughout the season. A couple of losses in the last three games may have hampered their touch but they are still looking good to make it to the playoffs.

The Rohit Sharma-led side needs just one more win to book a place in the top four. They’ve been in some really good form and have had some comprehensive wins over some of the top teams this season. They did lose their last game against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. The bowlers conceded 232 in 20 overs and it was too much for the batsmen to chase down. They did give the target of 233 a decent shot as Hardik Pandya’s manic 34-ball 91 took them closer and eventually, they lost by 34 runs.

MI will certainly not be short on confidence as they’ve played some excellent cricket throughout the tournament. They will be eyeing to seal the playoff spot in the next game which is against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Openers (Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma)

Quinton de Kock has been MI’s best batsman in this season. He’s been giving some really good and solid starts. Moreover, he is MI’s highest run-getter this season. He might’ve failed in the last couple of innings. But he’s been in terrific form and he will enjoy coming back to the Wankhede which is one of the best batting surfaces in the country.

Rohit Sharma has looked good without getting a big score in this season. He’s got starts constantly but hasn’t been able to convert them. He has averaged 27.90 this season and his strike-rate has been 131.75. A couple of games ago (against CSK), he scored a fifty after 16 IPL innings.

Middle-order (Evin Lewis, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard)

MI’s middle-order has been somewhat a hit and miss. The likes of Ishan Kishan and Yuvraj Singh were tried at the start of the season but constant failures saw them fall off the radar. Evin Lewis was brought in only a couple of games ago. He hasn’t really hit his straps as he’s had scores of 32 and 15. Suryakumar Yadav has looked good and made pretty 20s and 30s. But the problem has been he hasn’t kicked on and made some substantial scores.

Meanwhile, Kieron Pollard has literally blown away the opposition in two innings. He made 46 not out against SRH and then won them a game single-handedly against KXIP when he scored 83. However, apart from these two knocks, there hasn’t been many contributions from him. But he is a vital part of the MI line-up and will continue to float around in the middle-order.

All-rounders (Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya)

Hardik Pandya seems to be in the form of his life. He’s been striking the ball beautifully and has been one of the reasons why MI have done well this season. Game after game, he’s turned up and donned the finisher’s role to perfection. In the last game, he scored a scintillating 34-ball 91 smashing the KKR bowlers to all parts of the Eden Gardens. With the ball, he’s been expensive but has also picked up wickets.

On the other hand, Krunal Pandya hasn’t really fired this season. While he’s not been able to pick wickets regularly, he’s been very disappointing with the bat. He averages just 18.55 with the bat and has a strike-rate of 120.14. Hence, MI will be hoping that Krunal strikes form as he is a very vital part of that line-up.

Bowlers (Rahul Chahar, Barinder Sran, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah)

MI’s bowling attack has been one of the best across all teams this season. Though they conceded 232 in the last game, they have produced the goods more often than not. Rahul Chahar has been very impressive. He’s done well in almost every game and has been MI’s spinner alongside Krunal. Barinder Sran made his MI debut in the last game and conceded 27 in two overs. But he is likely to get more opportunities.

Jasprit Bumrah has been the leader of this attack. The numbers might not suggest how well he’s bowled this season. He’s been MI’s go-to bowler and is their highest wicket-taker so far this season. Lasith Malinga has blown hot and cold. He’s picked up a couple of four-wicket hauls but apart from that, he’s leaked runs on most occasions. However, he’s done well at the death and he also forms a great death bowling pair alongside Bumrah.

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