IPL 2022: Best starting XI of Mumbai Indians after mega auction

The decade 2010s was all about Mumbai Indians. After Ricky Ponting decided to give the role of captaincy to Rohit Sharma, there was no looking back for the franchise. He set up a team that went on to become the “most complete T20 side”.

With Rohit opening up and Suryakumar following him in the top order, they had picked the perfect batsmen for their top order. Adding on, Kieron Pollard’s presence added more value to the team. The T20 legend has been a part of the franchise for over a decade.

Down the order, Jasprit Bumrah has transformed into a bowler with a weird action to the face of the Indian bowling attack. He can destroy batting orders for fun and has been effective in any phase of the game. Well, with the auction being completed, let us have a look at the best starting XI for the Mumbai Indians:

1. Rohit Sharma (captain) 

Over the years, Rohit Sharma has been the one of the most prolific batsman for India. His talent was a well-known fact, but since MS Dhoni promoted him to open the innings, things changed for him Adding on, his leadership skills developed, and now, he is the limited-overs skipper of India.

The start of his captaincy career occurred when Ponting gave up his captaincy role and Rohit was asked to lead the side. Under his leadership, MI went on to win five titles. Apart from that, he backed some solid all-rounders like the Pandya brothers.

With 5611 runs to his name in the toughest T20 league, he has been an integral part of the Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians. A lesser-known fact about him is that he holds a hattrick to his name against Mumbai Indians. This team has its perfect leader in the form of Rohit, just like the national team does.

2. Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper)

A whopping amount of 15.25 crores is something that defines the craze of Ishan Kishan. The left-handed attacking batsman was picked up by the Mumbai-based franchise, which meant that the batting order got much better for them. Even though he had a poor outing in 2021, he was terrific for them in 2020.

In 61 IPL games, Kishan has scored 1452 runs at an average of 28.47. With a strike rate of 136.34, he has been MI’s one of the most consistent performers with the bat. Along with that, he has been a part of the national side as well.

The highest score of 99 shows his ability to bat longer innings. In one IPL season, he smashed 30 sixes for MI as well. There is no doubt that he is the future captain of the franchise and hence, he will be a part of the MI core as well.

3. Suryakumar Yadav

Just like Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians franchise. The stylish batsman likes to dominate the opposition from the word go and is now adopting the role as the finisher for India in ODIs. However, for MI, he holds the important position of number three.

He has played 115 IPL games and has scored 2341 runs so far at an average of 28.9, and has been consistent in the toughest T20 league over the years. Adding on, a strike rate of 135.71 speaks volumes about his talent with the bat.

He is now a core member of the side and he can play as per the situation. With explosive batting options, Yadav is the best option for them for the number three position. His fielding skills also add a feather to his hat as well.

4. Tilak Verma

Tilak Verma has found the perfect franchise in the form of Mumbai Indians. A relatively lesser-known face, Verma is a talented striker of the ball and can be a part of MI’s long-term plans. His ability to strike the ball can be beneficial to the MI side.

In T20s, he has the highest score of 75, which shows that he can play match-defining innings. Adding on, a strike rate of 143.77 proves that he has the talent to hit the ball cleanly. With the best management, he can become the player Ruturaj Gaikwad has been for CSK.

Verma has the ability to bow part-time spin as well. With a thin middle order, Verma will be crucial to the team’s chances this year. If he makes a mark, then MI will be an unstoppable force. It will be interesting to see how Rohit uses Verma in the upcoming IPL.

5. Tim David (overseas)

Being the only player from Singapore in a T20 league like the IPL is never easy. However, for Tim David, it is just another T20 league. Even though he is a relatively new face in the tournament, David has played all over the world.

He is a well-known batsman who can smash the bowlers for fun. Even if MI had decided to let go of Hardik, they have managed to get back a better player in the form of David. He can accelerate and anchor the innings as well.

In 11 T20Is, David has scored 429 runs at an impressive average of 47.67. All-rounder can smash the ball at a strike rate of 157.72 and has been an impactful player in the PSL as well. If needed, he can bowl in a couple of overs as well.

6. Kieron Pollard (overseas)

The T20 format was largely dominated by the West Indies side during the 2010 decade. With so many power hitters, they could easily dominate any bowling attack in the game. And the man in the middle of all the chaos was Kieron Pollard.

Pollard’s hitting ability is known to all. Time and time again, he has helped his team to get over the line. Talking about his strike rate, he has a humongous one of 149.77. Apart from that, he has been a handy all-rounder as well.

In 178 IPL games, he has picked 65 wickets. Even though an economy rate of 8.78 is a bit expensive, he could cover up for a bowler who is having a bad day. A T20 legend, Pollard deserves to retire while being at the Mumbai Indians.

7. Daniel Sams (overseas)

As MI has a relatively weak middle order, a lot will depend on how Daniel Sams plays out for them. The Australian all-rounder has the ability to smash the ball out of the park. Adding on, he is a useful bowler who can fill in his full quota of four overs as well.

Sams has played five IPL games so far. However, he was expensive on a few occasions and has picked a wicket as well. But, he has been consistent in the BBL. Sams, if utilised well, can fill in the shoes of Pollard for Mumbai.

Talking about his batting, he has played four T20Is and has scored 54 runs. A strike rate of 234.78 shows that he can smack the ball well. To add the cherry on the top, he is a safe fielder as well.

8. Jasprit Bumrah  

From being a youngster with a weird action to being the face of the Indian bowling attack, Jasprit Bumrah has come a long way. The fast bowler has been the go-to man for Rohit Sharma over the years and continues to do so. Still, after playing international cricket for over four years, he is unplayable.

Bumrah is one of the core members of the side. There is no doubt that the MI’s success with the ball heavily relies on him. He has played 106 IPL games and has picked 130 wickets with the ball.

Adding on, he has an economy rate of 7.42, which is quite exceptional. The best part about his game is that he is still trying to grow as a bowler. This makes him a special cricketer.

9. Mayank Markande 

Finally, it will be a homecoming for Mayank Markande. The leggie made his debut against a strong CSK side during the 2018 season of the IPL. He had a dream debut as he asked some serious questions to the Chennai batsmen.

In 18 IPL games, he has picked 16 wickets. For MI, he was an impressive and effective bowler. But, in the RR camp, he was not used to his full capabilities. Mayank’s ability to bowl that surprise delivery, the googly, can trouble the batsmen.

Under Rohit’s leadership, Mayank can grow to his full potential. Just like in the case of Rahul Chahar, Markande is an upcoming prospect for team India as well.

10. Jaydev Unadkat 

Even if he has been unlucky when it comes to getting into the national side, Jaydev Unadkat has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit. The left-arm quick bowler can bowl effectively at any stage of the game.

In 86 IPL games, Undakat has picked 85 wickets with an economy rate of 8.74. Being an Indian bowler, he is sure to make it to the side as the third seamer. The best bowling figure of 5/25 speaks volumes about his abilities as a regular quick bowler.

Apart from that, he has a safe pair of hands that ensure that he assists the other bowlers as well. Unadkat has some runs under his belt as well, with a strike rate of 109.38.

11. Tymal Mills (overseas)

As MI managed to pick Jofra Archer in the auction, they had their fast bowling department covered. But, to add the cherry on the cake, they managed to draft Tymal Mills into their side. The English pacer is a T20 specialist bowler and even with the absence of Archer, he can bowl some serious pace.

This makes him an impactful player as Mills can bowl those surprise slower deliveries. He can bowl at the depth and is a fit player. Recently for the English side, he has been bowling regularly. 

With Bumrah on the other side, there is no doubt that both of them will be bowling in tandem. Tymal Mills at 1.50 crores is a steal for Mumbai Indians. It will be interesting to see how Rohit manages to bring the best out of Mills, who was not successful during his stint with RCB.