IPL 2021 – MUMBAI Indians, MI Squad Analysis: It’s been three years since the mega-auctions, and Mumbai Indians continue to be the strongest team on paper. Their dominant performance in 2020 was something never seen before. MI will once again take the pitch starting April 9 as the favourite clinch the trophy. If they manage to do so, the Rohit Sharma-led side will be the first team to win IPL three-times in a row. However, although the defending champions have a batting line-up dotted with big power-hitters along with the best death bowlers, there are still small chinks in the armour which make them vulnerable.
IPL 2021 – MI Squad Analysis: Mumbai Indians Strength
Mumbai relies heavily on its batting line-up and death bowling prowess. The two factors have been the biggest reasons which makes the five-time champions standout.
Their 2019 and 2020 title-winning campaign was built on a good core, which has been the same for years.
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Unlike other teams, MI has arguably the best opening duo in skipper Rohit Sharma and South African Quinton de Kock. Also, they have a strong backup in Australian hard-hitting giant Chris Lynn.
To add to their lethal top-order batting unit, MI possess two of the most talented T20 players in Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. The duo has been a revelation in 2020 for Mumbai. Owing to their IPL 2020 performance, they were included in the India squad against England where they starred in their India debuts.
The Pandya brothers — Hardik and Krunal — and West Indies’ Kieron Pollard make for a formidably middle-order.
In the fast bowling department, MI possesses one of the finest in Jasprit Bumrah. And to boost his death bowling skills, Mumbai brought in New Zealand’s Trent Boult from Delhi Capitals. The BlackCaps pacer proved his worth in IPL 2020 by taking wickets in the powerplay. Add Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile to it and it becomes a superb pace attack.
IPL 2021 – MI Squad Analysis: Mumbai Indians Weaknesses
While all seems perfect on paper, there is always room for improvement. In Mumbai’s case, it is their spin department. Compared to their rivals, MI’s spin team is a bit light, especially for a pitch like Chepauk, which is known to aide spinners.
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Left-arm spinner Krunal, who was picked as lone spinner in the third ODI against England, is more of a restrictive option. Rahul Chahar, on the other hand, is still a work in progress.
Mumbai did sign the experienced leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, but it will be interesting where he will fit in the scheme of things. Chawla has plenty of know-how of the MA Chidambaram pitch from his playing days for Chennai Super Kings.
He is also the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL with 156 wickets.
Mumbai have a strong A-side but doesn’t have enough replacements for each slot and has relatively young players as their bench strength.
IPL 2021 – MI Squad Analysis: Players to watch out for:
There are just so many to choose from! Ishan Kishan who had a breakout year in IPL 2020 and Trent Boult for his incredible ability to pick up wickets in the powerplay will once again be in the spotlight this season.
IPL 2021 – MI Squad Analysis: Chances of Mumbai Indians winning?
Experts have already picked Mumbai Indians as their favourite to win this year. And why not. Mumbai’s players were in red-hot form during the white-ball series against England and will be riding on the back of the same confidence.
Even the IPL 2021 betting predicts Mumbai as the favourites to win. As of now, the odds are on MI winning 4.35 (10CRIC) – 4.50 (Betway) – 4.35 (ComeOn).
IPL 2021 MI squad:
Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (WK), Chris Lynn, Anmolpreet Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Aditya Tare, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Anukul Roy, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mohsin Khan, Adam Milne, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Piyush Chawla, James Neesham, Yudhvir Charak, Marco Jansen, Arjun Tendulkar
Editors pick
