IPL 2022: Match 26 – Predicted Mumbai Indians Playing XI vs Lucknow Super Giants

Mumbai Indians (MI) have started on a disappointing note in the IPL 2022 with no wins in five appearances. The team has not been able to string together balanced performances in both departments and is devoid of enough match-winners. In the last game against Punjab Kings (PBKS), they gave away 198 runs and then failed to chase down the total by falling short of 12 runs.

In their sixth match of the tournament, they will face the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and will hope to open their account. In the last game, they brought back Tymal Mills in the XI, who was pretty average but has done well in the initial matches. Additionally, MI played with three overseas players and might think to bring Riley Meredith in place of Basil Thampi.

Here’s a look at the Mumbai Indians’ predicted XI against LSG:

Openers: Rohit Sharma (C) and Ishan Kishan (WK)

Both the established T20 players have been the key for MI, in the last few editions at the top order. However, they have not looked at their natural best this season so far. Hence, they will look to improve their performances to secure a win for the team.

In the last game, Rohit got off to a positive start and contributed 28 off 17 balls to provide a platform to the team.  But, he has failed in converting his starts into big ones and needs to take responsibility, as in the previous seasons. In total, Rohit has garnered 108 runs in five innings at an average of 21.60.

On the other hand, his partner Ishan Kishan has 178 runs in five innings of the tournament. But, his last three innings read as 3, 26, 14, which shows the lack of form. But, he is known for making a fighting comeback and steering crucial partnerships in the middle.

Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma

The middle-order of MI comprises the players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. One is an experienced campaigner in the white-ball cricket, and the other had made great strides in the domestic cricket to feature in the playing XI and impress everyone as well. These two players are certainly the backbone of the batting department if the team fails to get a good start.

Suryakumar joined the team late but, has been a show-stopper this season as well. In three appearances, he has piled up 163 runs in three innings at an average of 81.50. In the last game against PBKS, he contributed 43 off 30 balls in a losing cause and would look to win the upcoming games for MI with his performance.

Tilak has scored 157 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 160.20 and has accelerated finely, after getting set at the crease. In the last game, he slammed 36 off 20 and was one of the key reasons for the team reaching close to the total of the opposition.

All-rounders: Kieron Pollard, Dewald Brevis

In terms of all-around capabilities, MI has two options in form of Kieron Pollard and Dewald Brevis. A pure all-rounder with proven ball-striking capabilities over the years, Pollard has not been at his best this season. His pressure handling capability has taken a hit, as it has been witnessed so far in the tournament.

In five matches, Pollard has been able to contribute only 57 runs at a strike rate of 121.28. His highest score of 22 came against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with the latter one coming in five balls. With the ball, he has delivered seven overs and given away runs at an economy of 10.

The Proteas all-rounder, Dewald has started his IPL campaign on a strong note by scoring 86 runs in three innings. In the last fixture against PBKS, he smashed 28 runs off Rahul Chahar’s single over. On the other hand, he took a price scalp of Virat Kohli, in the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Bowlers: Jaydev Unadkat, Murugan Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Tymal Mills, Riley Meredith

The bowling unit of MI has struggled to contain runs and take wickets this season and will play a key role in this match to help the team in securing their first victory. The team has four fast bowlers in form of Unadkat, Bumrah, Mills, and Meredith, who have played a lot of white-ball cricket in the past. Among them, Tymal Mills has picked the most (six) wickets for the team at an economy of 9.71.

In the last game, Bumrah showed signs of coming back to form by dismissing Livingstone with a perfect yorker. In total, he has scalped four wickets in five appearances. The veteran, Unadkat has picked two wickets in two matches and can strike a few lusty blows for the team.

In this game, the team can bring Riley Meredith in place of Basil Thampi, who has proved to be costly in the initial matches. The only key spinner in the current line-up is Murugan Ashwin, who has been average in his performances. In five matches, he has five wickets to his name at an economy of 7.71.

MI’s predicted playing XI for the LSG clash: Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Jaydev Unadkat, Murugan Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Tymal Mills, Riley Meredith.