How World cup 2019 will affect the IPL teams

7. Mumbai Indians

MI will look to begin positively rather than leaving it too late

By the looks of it, Mumbai Indians seem most likely to be hit by the World Cup commotion. The three most important players for the Mumbai Indians are Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah; all of who are almost a certainty for the World Cup.

While Rohit Sharma not being a regular in test team might mean he might be available for the entire duration of the IPL, the same cannot be said for the other 2. Jasprit Bumrah is certainly India’s X-factor in the pace bowling department. A fit and in form Bumrah at the World Cup is as critical to the Indian team as is a fit and firing Virat Kohli.

Having had a demanding schedule over the past one year including tours of South Africa, England, and Australia and with the tour to New Zealand coming up, it is more than likely that MI will miss the services of its ace pacer at-least in the group stages.

Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, is India’s first choice all-rounder and has just recovered from a back injury which saw him being ruled out of the Asia Cup halfway through it.

Thus, it is more than likely that his work-load will be constantly monitored as well. With Jason Behrendorff not likely to make the cut into the Australian WC team, the overseas recruit would not provide many headaches to the MI think tank.