Mumbai Indians (MI) – IPL 2020
4 min read
Introduction
MI’s squad is one of the most peculiar squads ever. If you look at the indispensable assets of the squad – Rohit Sharma, Pandya Brothers and Jasprit Bumrah – every player has a similar, if not exactly the same replacement sitting on the bench. This has a couple of very interesting implications:
- Mumbai Indians is quite sure of the balance and combination they want for their playing XI and have gone several lengths to ensure they also have similar backups to maintain the same balance.
- Every first-choice player will therefore know that good performances is the only way to guarantee being in the playing XI – this is a 2-edged knife.
Suggestive Playing XI by Mihir Vohra
Mihir’s SWOT Analysis
strengths
- The first of MI’s strengths, which is not very apparent or direct, is the fact that each of their departments are led by and majorly composed of quality Indian players, thereby allowing MI not to be over-dependent on their foreign players and also allowing them to play the course without much (or any) collateral chopping and changing.
- MI has what I would call a template T20 lineup: an explosive and dependent left-hand right-hand opening combination, followed by a versatile and young numbers 3 and 4. Then start their all-rounders – one spinning, one seaming and one pinch-hitting with the ability to bowl. A wicket-taking leg-break bowler follows who himself is followed by 3 quality all-terrain fast bowlers who have the ability to take the pitch out of the equation. Well, templates exist for a reason and the reason is that they work. And the fact that much of MI’s playing XI picks itself is quite a strength.
weaknesses
- If anything, MI lack a little bit in the spin department, which could be a negative factory should the pitches be characteristically slow and/or deteriorating.
- All-rounders start as early as the number 5 position for MI. I don’t see any other specialist batsmen finding a place in this lineup and this could be a weakness, especially against oppositions with strong bowling attacks.
opportunities
- MI have an excellent opportunity to make it 2 in a row and break the pattern of winning only in alternate years.
- MI also has an opportunity to give opportunities to Prince Balwant Rai Singh or Anukul Roy as the 3rd spinner in the playing XI – if not each and every game, at least 5 to 6 games.
threats
- The only threat I see for MI is their inability to play a third spinner, to do which they would have to lose the services of one of their quality fast bowlers or all-rounders, which is a highly improbable occurrence.
player from another team
Alex Carey / Tom Banton —> Either of these 2 players could have easily slotted in at number 4 for MI and add another level of batting depth to the lineup. It is also interesting to note that both of these players may find it difficult to be regulars in their respective teams.
key player
Krunal Pandya —> If the tournament was taking place in Australia or South Africa or England, the key player for me would have been Hardik Pandya. As the tournament is in UAE, Krunal Pandya becomes all the more interesting. His spinners and left-handed batting ability allow Rohit Sharma to maintain a left-right batting combination at all times. He will also be expected to score runs at a higher strike rate and how his 4 overs of bowling go could very well be the difference between a win and a loss for MI. Krunal Pandya is the key player for MI if you ask me.
prediction
MI have a great squad with lot of strengths, I’d say that the outcome looks great for MI this season as well. They will make it to the playoffs.
Roster
Schedule
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