IPL 2021: Match 46 – Strongest Mumbai Indians (MI) Predicted Playing XI against Delhi Capitals (DC)

Mumbai Indians did well to halt their three-match losing streak, defeating the Punjab Kings in their last fixture by six wickets and an over to spare. However, Rohit Sharma’s men only have themselves to blame, as they play shootouts in the remaining tournament to qualify for the playoffs, all thanks to their unideal start in UAE.

Negligible positives and plenty to worries, it has been that kind of a season for Mumbai, who had to drop one of their middle-order mainstays, Ishan Kishan, against Punjab owing to his dismal run of form. Things have not been too bright for an otherwise-reliable Suryakumar Yadav either; he has four single-digit scores in the UAE leg so far.

Add to this an underperforming unit of all-rounders – Pandyas and Kieron Pollard – and two lethal pacers – Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult – not operating at their very best, and Mumbai’s tally of six losses and five wins starts to make complete sense. They come against second-placed Delhi Capitals in Sharjah on Saturday afternoon, with their playoff qualification chances hanging in balance.

Predicted Playing XI of Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2021 Match 46:

Openers – Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock

Rohit Sharma has not been able to set the UAE leg alight after an impressive Indian leg. He missed the season-resuming encounter against CSK due to a knee niggle and followed that by two unconverted starts – 33 against KKR, 43 against RCB. Against Punjab, Ravi Bishnoi had the better of him, as he was sent back for 8 off 10.

His partner Quinton de Kock himself has had mild returns in the UAE leg, with his best coming against KKR, a 42-ball 55. However, the sluggish tracks and his habit to take a while before accelerating has meant that de Kock has often ended up taking more deliveries than his team would like. Against Punjab, he scored less than a run-a-ball (27 off 29) before being cleaned up by Mohammed Shami.

Middle-order – Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary

Suryakumar Yadav’s IPL 2021 average is 17.18. He has scored 189 runs in 11 innings at a strike just a shade under 129. None of these looks apt for a batter of his calibre. His poor run has only extended in the UAE, where his scores read 3, 5, 8, 0; the duck coming against Punjab.

With such diminishing returns, Yadav has been the luckier one amongst himself and Ishan Kishan, who was dropped for the second time this season and was replaced by Saurabh Tiwary. While Tiwary has not been the most fluent option in the middle-order, he has done enough to hold his place in the side. He scored a 37-ball 45 in the last game, to help his team recover after the early blows that had reduced them to 16/2.

All-rounders – Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya

Much to Mumbai’s delight, Hardik Pandya found his lost mojo back in the previous game, standing tall until the end to hit the winning runs. He struck four fours and two sixes in his 30-ball 40, however, he is yet to take up his duties with the ball.

The senior of the two Pandyas, Krunal did not bat against Punjab, however, he returned with figures of 1/24 from his full quota of overs, which included bowling inside the powerplay. Kieron Pollard sent down only a solitary over but scalped two wickets in it before scoring a quick-fire 15 during the chase to earn the Player of the Match award.

Bowlers – Nathan Coulter-Nile, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar

Trent Boult has returned wicketless twice in the last three outings, one of which was the last game when he leaked 30 in three overs. However, what must have been pleasing for the team would be Jasprit Bumrah’s returns, as he claimed 2/24 after a couple of expensive outings.

Bumrah was well-assisted by Nathan Coulter-Nile, who did not pick a wicket but ensured to keep things tight at his end, giving just 19 in his four overs. He picks himself alongside Rahul Chahar. However, Mumbai might want to give Jayant Yadav a look-in owing to the presence of multiple left-handers in the DC camp.