IPL 2020: Best XI for Mumbai Indians 

The auctions are over and the teams are all raring to get onto the field. While some teams have backed experience, some have gone in with the younger players. But overall, every team looks very solid, and we are surely in for another exciting season of the Indian Premier League this year.

However, an interesting team to pick would be the defending champions and four-time IPL winners, Mumbai Indians. While they have retained most of their players from 2019, they came out of the auctions with some recognised buys. So, the fans would be waiting to see whether these new additions walk into the XI or it is the triumphant MI side from 2019 that takes the field again this year.

The MI table at the auction was all smiles throughout the event, as they got what they wanted at pretty much the expected prices. Over and above the auction, acquiring the services of Trent Boult in a trade and then getting Chris Lynn at just ₹2 crore were mere steals.

However, with adequate fire-power at the top, does Lynn wait in the wings or walk into the XI? This is a question which will be answered only when MI takes the field in their first match of the season.

As of now, this is what the strongest XI might look like for the team that defends the IPL trophy this year.

Also see – PSL schedule

Openers: Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav

This is arguably the safest and the go to pair of openers for the Mumbai Indians

Following the famous saying of 'why mend something that is not broken', MI would most probably play an unchanged pair of openers in this season as well. Quinton de Kock had been phenomenal at the top in 2019, scoring 529 runs in 16 games, becoming the highest run-getter for the Mumbai. He has earned the right to walk into the XI. The South African was so good, that his performance forced the MI think tank to decide against the retention of their back-up opener, Evin Lewis.

On the other end of the pitch will be Suryakumar Yadav. The second-highest run-getter for Mumbai, Yadav scored 424 runs in 16 games, at a healthy strike-rate of over 130. Given his performance in the previous IPL and the scintillating form he has been carrying throughout the domestic season thereafter, makes him an obvious choice at the top.

However, keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia later this year, we might see the skipper, Rohit Sharma taking the guard first-up, pushing Yadav to no.3.

Middle Order: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya

Pandya brothers along with Pollard form the core of MI's middle order

As strong as always, the middle order is the real strength of Mumbai Indians. On a good day, this middle order can clear the stands like no one's business. Each one of these five is proper match winners.

Even if Rohit Sharma opens, these players will be joined by Suryakumar Yadav, who is as destructive as the others. So, there is no doubt that at least 4 out of these 5 names will be taking the field in almost every game.

The Pandya brothers and Kieron Pollard are now synonymous to Mumbai Indians. There is no way MI takes the field in their first game without these three if they are fit and available.

If Rohit does not open, he will be a vital cog of the middle order

Ishan Kishan has been another find for Mumbai. He has been improving season after season. So, hopefully, he is matured enough to not go for that occasional tempting rash shot and keeps a price tag against his wicket. If he comes good, he can be as lethal as anyone.

Also, waiting in the wings are the likes of Sherfane Rutherford and Aditya Tare. Even they can come in handy in a game or two.

So, overall, the defending champions are all covered in the middle order, with both performance and quality.

Bowling line-up: Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Coulter-Nile

Mumbai will rely on these two to perform well and choke the opposition's batting line-up

Just looking at the number of options that Mumbai has in the bowling department is the perfect example of spoilt for choice. Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah will be the leaders of the pace-attack this season. To assist them, they already have Hardik Pandya. Boult and Bumrah are two of the most lethal pace bowlers in world cricket at the moment. The amount of damage they can inflict on the opposition is simply awe-inspiring.

In the spin department, the leg-spinner is Rahul Chahar, and to assist him is Krunal Pandya.

Rahul Chahar has had a good 2019. He was picked to play for the country after his brilliant performance for MI in the IPL.

Young Rahul Chahar will be the leader of the spin attack for MI

So, basically, in these 10 players itself, Mumbai has 4 proper batsmen, 2 proper all-rounders, a wicket-keeper and 20 overs of bowling. So, technically, Mumbai can play one man short and it won't trouble them much. Not to mention, the empty slot can also accommodate an overseas player too, as they have only got 3 overseas players covered in the first 10.

Hence, MI can choose to play Nathan Coulter-Nile who can do both, bat and bowl. He could be the back up on days where Pandya fails and can also give more depth in the batting line-up.

What else could one ask for when you have a side like this. In the end, MI looks a very difficult side to beat and they definitely start favourites this year as well, like every other year. It won't be wrong to say that only Mumbai's mistakes can derail their campaign this season.