Mumbai Indians (MI) – IPL 2019
4 min read
Introduction
Much like CSK, MI have retained majority of their team from last year and they enter this year’s IPL a couple of acquisitions and some new signings. Lasith Malinga is back as a player and Yuvraj Singh will don Mumbai Indians’ jersey for the first time in IPL.
Suggestive Playing XIs
Mihir’s SWOT Analysis
strengths
- Mumbai Indians boast a luxury of all-rounders, each of great quality and caliber. Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Yuvraj Singh are all proven T20 all-rounders.
- There is an excellent balance between pace and spin even after considering all-rounders in the equation.
- MI also possess a great bench strength.
weaknesses
- If I had to point out one weakness, it is that their batting could be found wanting on turning tracks. MI also lack the ability to play multiple front-line quality spinners.
opportunities
- There is a brilliant opportunity for Ishan Kisan to learn from last year and improve on his skills. I sincerely hope he is given opportunities like he was given last year.
- I also sincerely hope that an opening partnership of Quinton de Kock and Evin Lewis is tried out.
threats
- One threat that poses itself to MI is the potential persistence with Pollard. Often, we have seen MI wait too long to drop Pollard, even after repeated failures. This time, with Ben Cutting in good knick, I hope that he is preferred over Pollard.
- Another threat is also selection-based. Expecting Malinga to be at his erstwhile best and preferring him over McCleneghan could also be disastrous.
key player
Jasprit Bumrah —> Unlike last year, this year Jasprit Bumrah finds himself basking in red-ball success to complement his white-ball success. The Indian team management has made it a priority to proactively manage his workload across formats. Having said that, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Bumrah is among the leading wicket-takers. He has the ability to deliver the goods in 9 out of 10 matches, if not via wickets, it’s via controlling runs. He stands to be a key player for Mumbai Indians’ success(or failure) this season.
prediction
2013 – MI won the IPL. 2015 – MI won the IPL. 2017 – MI won the IPL. 2019 – ? If MI are suckers for patterns, they would win this year’s IPL. Nevertheless, given the nature of MI’s overall squad, the form of their key players, I feel MI is the favourites to win the tournament.
Samrat’s SWOT Analysis
strengths
- The team has a very strong batting unit with the likes of skipper Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, and Ishan Kishan.
- The team also has a bulk of some of the best all-rounders, which include Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, and Kieron Pollard.
- Not to be left behind, the bowling department also has the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mayank Markande (one of the emerging stars of the previous season).
weaknesses
- Like RCB, Mumbai Indians have also lacked consistency in the previous season which cost them their title.
- Mayank Markande showed an initial spark but was taken for runs in the second half of the season.
- The same was the case with Ishan Kishan, Pollard and Mitchell McCleneghan.
- No player other than Rohit has been consistent in the batting line-up.
- Yuvraj Singh’s form will also be a concern.
opportunities
- The young Indian guns have really good stage setup for them to showcase their talent and prove their worth for the team who believed in their abilities.
threats
- Sides with good bowling with good swing conditions can provide threat to the batting line-up and make it difficult to chase down scores against tough oppositions.
key player
Rohit Sharma —> With him scoring runs at the top would really enhance other lower batsman to go out and perform to their best of potential.
prediction
No, the team won’t make it to the playoffs. Not this time.
Roster
