4 min read
Introduction
Barring any last minute injuries, and the known absence of Quinton de Kock for the first game, MI will play the same playing XI from last year. And why wouldn’t they? That playing XI, at least the majority of them, won them 2 back-to-back titles. Again, their auction activity was restricted to buy backups or buy back, in case of Nathan Coulter Nile. So, it isn’t a surprise that it still looks a strong roster. But 1 thing has changed – the venue, and the fact that they won’t be playing any match at Wankhede. Will they play a 3rd spinner and shuffle their combination or will they stick with their winning combination and make it work?
Suggestive Playing XI by Mihir Vohra
Mihir’s SWOT Analysis
strengths
- One of the strongest batting lineup, well complemented by one of the strongest bowling lineups. Not to mention, both these departments have been in impeccable form of late.
- Playing 2 wicket-keepers in first-choice playing XI is always an advantage. Should 1 get injured or go out of form, all they need to do is replace him with the next best player. Most teams, in the same situation, would need to rethink their balance.
weaknesses
- There’s no rule which says that a team must play 4 foreigners. The 4 batsmen, 3 all rounders and Jasprit Bumrah almost certain to play all 14 games, MI are left with 3 remaining spots – 1 of which I would say goes to Trent Boult and 1 goes to Rahul Chahar. Going by past history, the sole remaining spot will go either to Adam Milne or Nathan Coulter Nile, both of whom are fast bowlers. This, in my opinion leaves the spin department a tad bit weak, and given that MI play as many as 7 games on traditionally slow pitches (5 at Chennai and 2 at Kolkata), they might be inclined to a 3rd spinner.
opportunities
- MI have a more than good opportunity to make it 3-in-a-row before the 2022 mega auction forces a major reshuffle of their roster.
- Apart from these, I don’t think there are much opportunities for the franchisee or any individuals this season, unless MI start losing all their games.
threats
- The bench strength of their batting department, the quality of it to be precise, is a big threat. It has been circumvented by their quality all-rounders in the past, but there always looms a threat of it failing in crunch games.
player from unsold
Adil Rashid —> An attacking T20 spinner with wicket-taking abilities, as demonstrated in the recently-concluded T20I series against India, he would have been a valuable addition to MI’s bowling lineup, providing a 3rd frontline spinning option.
player from another team
Imran Tahir —> Imran Tahir would have added a lot of value to MI’s bowling lineup, especially when they would find a need to play 3 spinners without compromising on their top 7. Add to that, Tahir played an insignificant role for CSK last year and might do the same this year as well.
key player
Jasprit Bumrah —> Tough to choose a key player in a team full of superstars and from a team which depends on team performances to win matches and tournaments. But if I had to choose one, I would say it is Jasprit Bumrah. Purely on the fact that his absence means MI need to include either Dhawal Kulkarni or Arjun Tendulkar; Piyush Chawla if they are looking for a spinner. Needless to say, his lack of form would leave MI in tatters.
prediction
A playoff spot should come through for MI this year as well, but repeating last year’s championship winning campaign won’t be a cakewalk for MI this year.
Roster
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The Author(s):
Mihir Vohra is the web-developer, designer and content writer at Cricket in Progress! Through Cricket in Progress!, he aims to bring some fresh writing to cricket while wording his views. To say that Mihir is a fan of the game would be an understatement of cosmic proportions. Much credit for Mihir’s attraction towards cricket could be credited to Shane Warne and the way he led the Rajasthan Royals to victory in the inaugural season of IPL. What was seeded in that year culminated into this very website. He has a keen liking for puns, humour and literary drama as will be pretty evident in his words.
