IPL 2017 MI vs DD: Mumbai Indians (MI) Today's probable playing 11 against Delhi Daredevils (DD)

Rohit Sharma would look to build on his newly-gained form tonight

The Mumbai Indians would look seal their spot in the playoffs tonight by winning their game against the resurgent Delhi Daredevils, at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi. That it is a home game for Delhi shouldn’t bother Mumbai at all as the Rohit Sharma-led side has had more successes than failures at the venue in the past.

After hunting down the Royal Challengers and knocking them out of the race for the playoffs on May 1, Mumbai have had a long break from cricket and must come back to the field rejuvenated and refreshed.

Despite having mustered just 165 in their previous game against the Royal Challengers, the Mumbai batting lineup isn’t any less of a threat than what it originally was. Parthiv Patel and Jos Buttler have been the unsing heroes, for the starts that they have provided have laid the platform for the in-form middle-order to fire and the big-hitters to finish off the innings.

The death bowling specialists in Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga have been consistent and have delivered the breakthroughs whenever needed. They have been able supported by Mitchell McClenaghan and the Pandya brothers – Hardik and Krunal.

Here’s the predicted playing XI for tonight’s game against the Delhi Daredevils.

Parthiv Patel’s value in the side has often been undermined by the way the men who come lower down the order bat. His partnership with Jos Buttler at the top of the order has been detrimental to Mumbai’s success. The attacking left-handed batsman has a knack for going after the bowling from the word go and his off-side packed strokeplay can put any team off guard, especially in the powerplay overs.

Jos Buttler hasn’t played the trademark innings of his yet, for which he has made his name all over the world, but has been instrumental nevertheless. The Englishman has a reputation of batting big on his day and his prowess with the bat cannot be undermined. Mumbai would hope that he peaks during the playoffs.

Nitish Rana, the most consistent of the Mumbai batsmen, has been one of the finds of the season for them. His performances were decent even in the last season, but in this season he has notched up several levels and has been the man to dismiss for the oppostion in the MI lineup. The left-handed batsman’s form is crucial to Mumbai Indians’ success.

Rohit Sharma has adjusted well to the No. 4 position and has made that spot his own through some decent knocks. The captain has been proactive with his leadership and hasn’t shied away from making risky yet bold decisions that have, more often than not, paid off. His form with the bat would be crucial for Mumbai’s prospects.

Kieron Pollard have been as much of a hitter for Mumbai as he has been a saviour. He hasn’t played that many quick-fire innings as the match-saving ones and has modelled his game according to the situations of the game. He has transformed himself into a more than capable sheet anchor and is a vital cog in the MI middle order.

Krunal Pandya prides himself on having dismissed AB de Villiers thirce in his short IPL career. Today, he will have to face a prospective onslaught from Rishab Pant, who seems to be on a dream run with the bat that dates back to the Ranji Trophy. Pandya has not been afraid of bowling in the powerplays and has often been the partnership-breaker for Mumbai.

Hardik Pandya, the younger of the two Pandyas, has been the finisher for Mumbai in every sense of the word. The fearless, big-hitting youngster has only played cameos in the tournament, but all of them have been effective and most of them have been in match-winning causes. With the ball as well, Pandya has effectively undertaken the responsibility of the third seamer and has chipped in with an over or two.

Harbhajan Singh, the experienced off spinner, could be included in the side keeeping in mind the Delhi batsmen had put pressure on the inexperienced Gujarat bowling lineup, especially the spinners. Even Ravindra Jadeja had disappeared into the stands. Hence, having Harbhajan in their midst, keeping in mind his knack for growing in confidence especially after picking a wicket, would help Mumbai restrict Delhi’s young blood attack.

Mitchell McClenaghan, despite being expensive, has been a wicket-taking option for Mumbai, and hence, have been included in the playing XI regularly. His pacy bouncers mixed with the array of slower deliveries makes him a tricky customer to deal with, and he might be the weapon that Mumbai need to keep Delhi’s batsmen in check and curb their attacking instincts.

Jasprit Bumrah, the genius who won Mumbai the super over against Gujarat would have to keep carelessness of bowling extras and conceding runs in the field aside, if he has to prosper as a cricketer. Apart from the back-of-a-length ball and the yorker, the slower balls that the 23-year-old has developed as a part of his arsenal, have been diffcult to pick, as most them arrive at a very full length.

Lasith Malinga, the veteran, would be an important part of the Mumbai lineup and will have to play a major role if they are to win the IPL for the third time. The kind of variations that he has and the way he has been picking wickets for the past ten years in the league has been phenomenal to say the least and Mumbai would hope that the Lankan deliveries match-winning spells.