MI Predicted Playing 11 vs PBKS for Match 33 of IPL 2024

The Mumbai Indians (MI) will lock horns with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 33 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) at Mullanpur on Thursday, April 18.

With four losses in six matches, the five-time champions are close to the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table. Punjab haven't fared much better, meaning that this is a crucial game for Mumbai to move up the ranks.

MI are yet to identify their ideal combination, and they might consider a change in the bowling department.

MI's squad for IPL 2024: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya (c), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Harvik Desai, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Luke Wood, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Anshul Kamboj, Naman Dhir, Shreyas Gopal, Kwena Maphaka, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammad Nabi, Shivalik Sharma.

Here is MI's predicted playing XII (including one impact sub) for Match 33 of IPL 2024 against PBKS.

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Openers: Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan (wk)

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan have been sensational for MI in IPL 2024 so far. The opening pair will want to set an excellent platform for the middle order once again, with PBKS having a few decent new-ball bowlers in their ranks.

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Middle order: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, and Romario Shepherd

Suryakumar Yadav has bagged ducks on either side of his whirlwind knock against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The maverick batter will need to display the consistency that he showed before his long injury-enforced absence.

Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Tim David will continue to be part of the MI middle order, but the team might consider a couple of changes elsewhere. With Akash Madhwal proving expensive and Mohammad Nabi not doing much in either department, Nehal Wadhera might be in line to make his first appearance of the season.

Wadhera and Hardik's ideal batting positions are uncertain, but there's no doubt that Mumbai need some additional firepower in the middle order and in the bowling department.

Romario Shepherd could round off the batting unit, bringing his big hitting to the table.

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Lower order: Gerald Coetzee, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Gopal, Nuwan Thushara

Nuwan Thushara is yet to feature for MI in IPL 2024. The slingy Sri Lankan seamer's addition could greatly boost their powerplay and death-bowling stocks. If he is included, Mumbai might not have any use for Madhwal, who has leaked runs in the last three matches.

Jasprit Bumrah has been the team's standout bowler this year. He will be partnered by Gerald Coetzee in the pace attack, with Shreyas Gopal potentially serving as the lone spinner.

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MI's predicted playing XII (inc impact sub): Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Shreyas Gopal, Jasprit Bumrah, Gerald Coetzee, Nuwan Thushara.

Other impact sub candidates: Harvik Desai, Naman Dhir, Shams Mulani, Akash Madhwal, Nuwan Thushara.