Strongest starting XI of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024

Mumbai Indians (MI) had a very good auction in the IPL 2024, as they made some brilliant purchases. The former champions did not go behind the players who seemed to be in huge demand but rather went behind those who could bring value to the side for a lesser sum. With a lot of good players in their lineup, it is time to look at the most probable and the strongest playing XI of MI for IPL 2024 including the impact player. 

Top Order

Rohit Sharma is certain to open the innings for MI, which was confirmed by Akash Ambani. The lack of pressure would help him to score runs in the season. It has been a long time since Rohit had a stellar IPL season as a batter. It might be one of the reasons for the management to think of freeing him from the burden of captaincy to concentrate on his batting a bit more, although he did not seem vulnerable while leading the side. 

Ishan Kishan will be the opening partner of Rohit, who will have the added responsibility of keeping the wickets. Kishan likes to take some time in the middle and then go behind the bowlers. It might be a little concerning for MI. But the presence of Rohit at the other end would take care of it. The right-left combination of the duo might well be one of the best pairs at the top in the league, which might define their chances in the league.

MI have the unorthodox, yet reliable Suryakumar Yadav at number 3. In T20 cricket, he has been a revelation over the years. There are very few anchors in the world who can bat aggressively in the middle overs. MI has many batters in the middle order who can bat with intent and not harm the scoring rate, which would also be staying true to the nature of the wickets in Mumbai at Wankhede Stadium. The three combined would form a deadly top order.

Middle Order

MI's trademark in the season would be the middle order, much like the IPL 2023. They have Tilak Varma who can be dangerous as a batter at number 4. Tilak has been in very good form right from the IPL 2022 and had a breakthrough season in the IPL 2023. He is aggressive by nature and can bat according to the situation. If required, he can bowl a bit as well, although MI might not need it due to the impact player rule.

At number 5, Hardik Pandya is likely to bat. The new MI captain can act as a bridge between the top and the lower middle order. Given the T20 World Cup 2024, the role of Hardik becomes very crucial and he might be needed to bat in different positions. He can bowl as well, but his fitness is a genuine concern. Hardik played from the IPL 2015 to the IPL 2021 in the venue and knows the conditions very well, both as a captain and as a batter.

At numbers 6 and 7, Mohammad Nabi and Tim David are likely to be the finishers of the side based on the match situations. If Mumbai Indians suffer a collapse and need some anchoring in the middle, MI might ask Nabi to bat over David. In other cases, the Australian batter is likely to bat before the experienced batter. Either way, MI would be happy with their batting order, which looks robust and can threaten other teams. Nehal Wadhera can come in as an impact player.

Lower Order

Mumbai Indians is likely to have 4 proper bowlers with Hardik Pandya and Nabi as the All-Rounders. Gerald Coetzee and Jasprit Bumrah are almost certain in the XI. Picking other bowlers in the XI might get a bit tricky but the two quality pacers are sure to make it to MI's lineup. MI has the luxury of one of the best new ball and death overs bowlers in Bumrah, who can ensure them 4 world-class overs with the ball. 

MI also have Akash Madhwal to handle death bowling, who had a very good IPL 2023. When in tandem, Bumrah and Madhwal would be good to watch, executing their yorkers against the best batters in the world. MI can ask Gerald Coetzee to be a pure middle overs bowler, as they have Madhwal and Bumrah operating in the death overs. It would also mean that MI get to bowl Coetzee in the phase where he succeded in the ODI WC 2023 for SA. 

To assist Coetzee, MI has some very good spinners like Shreyas Gopal, Piyush Chawla, and Mohammad Nabi. In spin-friendly conditions, they might be very useful  In other instances, MI is likely to play Nabi as the All-rounder and Piyush Chawla as his partner in the middle-overs phase. Hardik can bowl if necessary and that allows MI to look after their bowling well. Chawla can sit while batting and Wadhera can come in as the impact player. 

Here’s their most probable Playing XI for IPL 2023: 

Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Mohammad Nabi, Tim David, Gerald Coetzee, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, Piyush Chawla

Impact player: Nehal Wadhera