Mumbai Indians have won the IPL five times. Their current squad is one of the strongest T20 teams ever assembled. In the last edition, they finished at the top of the league table and then successfully retained the championship by comprehensively beating Delhi Capitals in the summit clash.
MI had all bases covered before heading into the mini-auction this February. However, keeping in mind on COVID-19 scenario in India, they added a few backups.
The signing that surprised the most was that of Arjun Tendulkar, son of the Sachiin Tendulkar. A decent left-arm seamer, Arjun was bought at his base price of INR 20 lakhs.
The other signings made by Mumbai were Nathan Coulter-Nile (INR 5 crores), Adam Milne (3.2 crores), Piyush Chawla (2.4 crores), Jimmy Neesham (50 lakhs), Yudhvir Charak (20 lakhs), and Marco Jansen (20 lakhs). MI predictably strengthened their pace unit after Lasith Malinga’s retirement before the new season.
What nickname would you give to this dashing trio? 💙#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI #IPL2021 @surya_14kumar @krunalpandya24 @ishankishan51 pic.twitter.com/LaItnGpmNQ
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 5, 2021
Mumbai Indians strongest playing XI (explained):
Openers
There is little doubt that Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock, two fine white-ball hitters, will start off proceedings in IPL 2021. ‘Hitman’ didn’t have the greatest season in 2020, scoring just 332 runs at a strike rate under 130, but de Kock seemed in sublime touch, with 503 runs with an astonishing strike rate of 141.
Middle-order
This is an area where MI is significantly ahead of others. They have a galaxy of stars here, including Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Kieron Pollard. In IPL 2020, Kishan top-scored for MI with 516 runs, while Suryakumar had 480. Both maintained a strike rate over 145. But Pollard trumped even them, his 268 runs coming at over 190.
All-rounders
The Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal, have impressed for MI. They will continue to feature at Nos. 6 and 7. Nathan Coulter-Nile, the probably third seamer, can also hit the ball.
Bowlers
Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult will continue to lead the bowling attack. The pair picked up 52 scalps combined last season. Piyush Chawla may pip Rahul Chahar for the specialist spinner’s slot.
MI strongest Likely XI for IPL 2021:
Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.
MI full squad for IPL 2021:
Rohit Sharma (C), Aditya Tare, Anmolpreet Singh, Anukul Roy, Dhawal Kulkarni, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Quinton de Kock (WK), Rahul Chahar, Suryakumar Yadav, Trent Boult, Chris Lynn, Saurabh Tiwary, Mohsin Khan, Adam Milne, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Piyush Chawla, Marco Jansen, Yudhvir Singh, James Neesham, Arjun Tendulkar