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Opinion
As the IPL is approaching fast, the excitement in the cricketing fraternity is increasing day by day.
It is the biggest T20 league in the world and so the fan base will obviously be eagerly waiting for the first match on September 19th.
So I have decided to start a series of articles in which I’ll make my ideal playing XI for all the teams, starting with the defending champions Mumbai Indians.
The Mumbai Indians are the most successful IPL team having four titles to their name and this team has a lot of match-winners. So here is my ideal playing XI for IPL 2020.
Quinton de Kock (wk)
I have added Quinton de Kock as my first-choice opener as well as a wicketkeeper. He had a superb last season where he scored 529 runs at an average of 35.26 finishing at number three in the leading run-scorer race.
I have chosen him ahead of Chris Lynn due to the latter’s poor form and de Kock is the better option considering the conditions.
Rohit Sharma (c)
Rohit Sharma is the skipper of the team and I want him to play as an opener. I don’t think so that there is a need to justify his inclusion.
Suryakumar Yadav
Another exciting player who can bat according to the conditions. He can bat in the top order as well as in the middle order, can bat sensibly as well as accelerate the innings. He is at number three in my lineup.
Ishan Kishan
Kishan was the skipper of the Indian U-19 team in the 2016 World Cup and is an exciting player. He usually bats as an opener but in this team, he’ll have to bat in the middle order because there is no free slot in the top order.
Kieron Pollard
One of the best power hitters in T20 cricket who can take the game away single-handedly with his firepower. He is the oldest member of the Mumbai Indians and has to do well this season. I am sure that he will definitely be in everyone’s playing XI.
(AP Photo/ Mahesh Kumar A.)
Hardik Pandya
Pandya is another amazing power-hitter who has made his name in international cricket in a very short span of time. He can also bowl some decent overs so he is valuable for Mumbai. I am expecting an exceptional season from him.
Krunal Pandya
The senior Pandya is also a valuable player as he is the best spinner in the team. He is not a typical bowler but can provide value addition in the batting as well as fielding.
We can say he is a three-dimensional player which a team can’t afford to keep him out a match.
Rahul Chahar
Chahar is a leggie who should be in the team considering the conditions of UAE where spinners would dominate. He had a very effective last season where he picked 13 wickets and will definitely play all matches this season.
Mitchell McClenaghan
He is also a very important member of this team and is an exceptional talent. When on song, he’ll get you wickets and provide the team with an extraordinary spell. He is looking fresh after lockdown.
Jasprit Bumrah
Boom Boom Bumrah is a phenomenal bowler and the best T20 bowler at the moment. This is a no-brainer for me to select him as he has pace, bouncers, yorkers, slower ones and everything required to rule a batsman out of the game.
Trent Boult
The left-arm pacer from New Zealand who bowls perfect lengths at the normal pace. He has played for many IPL franchises before the Mumbai Indians picked him and I am looking forward to watching him play. He should be in the playing XI.
So, this is my ideal XI for the Mumbai Indians and I think most people will agree with me. This lineup is looking fabulous as usual and I am backing them to have an outstanding performance again.
This team will definitely make it into the playoffs.
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