IPL 2018: How Rohit Sharma's men may lineup in the tournament opener

The 11th edition of IPL is nearing and there could not have been a better encounter to kick-off the season with the defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on the returning Chennai Super Kings.

Mumbai Indians are the most successful team in the IPL with 3 titles, all of them coming in the last 5 years.The credit for this must be given to their habit of assembling a strong squad every year. This year is no different with MI having a superb mix of players to choose from. Most of the players seem to pick themselves into the XI leaving a few spots left for grab.

Let us have a look at what the playing XI of Mumbai Indians would be in their highly anticipated opening clash against the CSK -

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Openers

#1 Evin Lewis

The swashbuckling opener from West Indies will definitely be opening the batting for the Mumbai Indians this year. Lewis has a strike rate of 155 and 2 hundreds to his name in the 14 international T20s he has played.

Add to this the great form that he has displayed in the World Cup qualifiers and Lewis is the just the kind of opener any T20 team would want.

#2 Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan has set his standards high after a good domestic season

Ishan Kishan has been successfully opening the batting for Jharkhand this year and has been a consistent performer across various domestic tournaments. MI has shelled out a whopping Rs. 6.2 crores for this 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman clearly indicating how highly they rate him.

Mumbai would be hoping he justifies his price tag with some clinical performance at the top of the order.

Middle Order

Rohit Sharma is expected to do the balancing act for his team

#3 Rohit Sharma

The MI skipper should slot in at no, 3 as he had done in the previous editions. Having Rohit at one down gives great balance to the squad and also gives the openers more freedom to express themselves. The Hitman has been one of the main reasons behind the 3 trophies won by MI in last 5 years, and this year again he has a strong squad to add to his victories.

#4 Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav will look at justifying his price tag

One of the local lads who has been associated with the Mumbai Indians for a long time now, Suryakumar Yadav has played some tremendous cameos in domestic tournaments this year including a 85-ball 134*, which saw him hitting 7 towering sixes.

By spending Rs. 3.2 crores for his services, MI will look to utilize the batsman in the best possible way.

All-Rounders

Mumbai Indians have a flexible middle-order packed with all-rounders

#5 Hardik Pandya

The improved bowler in Hardik Pandya has been putting up a decent show in international cricket, but his batting contributions have been dwindling off late. Don't be surprised to see him getting more chances with the bat in the coming season, which might even see him in the top 4 considering the depth MI have in their squad.

#6 Kieron Pollard

The big West Indian would be the main man for the middle order and the finisher's role, as he has been successfully doing in various leagues around the world. With time, Pollard has grown in maturity and do expect more sense from the big man along with his big hits.

#7 Krunal Pandya

Many would argue that had it not been Krunal Pandya, Mumbai would have lost both the qualifiers last year. But then, it was Krunal Pandya and thus it was no surprise when Mumbai went to raise the RTM card to buy the all-rounder for Rs. 8.8 crores. Krunal did not have a good domestic season this year but expect him to come hard and perform with well both bat and ball.

Bowlers

In Pat Cummins, Rohit Sharma has a good go-to bowler

#8 Pat Cummins

The big Aussie fast bowler has been extremely fit and effective since his comeback from an injury 2 years back. Cummins can also be a big hitter down the order having proved his batting capabilities in last year's BBL. A lot of Mumbai's fortune will lie on how Cummins performs with the ball though.

#9 Jasprit Bumrah

Young Bumrah has jumped through time to already become one of the best T20 bowlers

The no.1 limited overs bowler, as per rankings and even my choice, will once again be MI's go-to bowler at the death and start of the innings. Bumrah has grown in stature and talent since last year and people will expect him to finish among the top wicket-takers for this season.

#10 Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur seems to be gaining his bowling form at the right time for the MI

The Fizz had fizzled out a little since his strong start in international cricket. But over the past months, he seems to have found that control and rhythm back. The 18th over of the Nidahas Trophy finale against India can be seen as a testimony of the same. Along with Bumrah and Cummins, Mustafizur can form a formidable pace trio which can help Mumbai sail through the group stages.

#11 Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar will like to be known as the new wrist spinning find of the IPL

Mumbai have not invested in many spin options with Chahar being their most successful Indian spinner from the domestic arena. There were many franchises interested in this 18-year-old spinner who has been rated highly by many, so keep the expectations high form this youngster.

Chahar might be looking forward to a season of opportunities with the MI unless they turn to the U19 spinner Anukul Roy or the Sri Lankan Akila Dhananjaya, which is unlikely looking at their other foreign recruits.