MI Predicted Playing 11 vs RR for Match 38 of IPL 2024

The Mumbai Indians (MI) will face off against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 38 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) in Jaipur on Monday, April 22.

The five-time champions haven't been anywhere close to their best this year, with three wins from seven matches. However, their form has shown signs of improvement, with all three victories coming in their last four assignments.

Mumbai arguably haven't found their ideal combination yet, and there is a case to be made for them to beef up their bowling unit by bringing in certain names. Could they finally ring in that change during their clash against the table-toppers?

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 38 of IPL 2024 against RR.

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Openers: Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan (wk)

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan may not have delivered in the last game, but they've been in sensational form. The MI openers will need to be at their best against Trent Boult and Co., who tormented them during the reverse fixture at the Wankhede Stadium.

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Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, and Mohammad Nabi

Suryakumar Yadav seems to be in good nick despite the fact that he has two ducks to his name in IPL 2024. The dynamic batter will be absolutely crucial against Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin, who generally operate through the middle overs for RR.

Romario Shepherd might be a luxury MI can't afford. He did demolish Anrich Nortje and is a lethal weapon at the death, but his bowling hasn't been up to the mark. With Mumbai needing some reinforcement in that department, the West Indian might have to make way.

Mohammad Nabi is another candidate to be replaced after not bowling at all in the previous game. But with Jaipur being on the slower side, the off-spinner could find purchase and prove effective.

If MI want to boost their batting after dropping Shepherd, they could bring in Nehal Wadhera, who had a breakthrough campaign in IPL 2023 and performed well for Punjab in the domestic season. Naman Dhir, who did decently at the start of the campaign, is another option.

The rest of Mumbai's middle order is easy to pick, with Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and Tim David being sureshot selections in the side.

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

Nuwan Thushara simply has to play for MI. His death bowling and powerplay skill will greatly elevate the pace unit, and with Akash Madhwal proving expensive, the time might be right to make the change.

Thushara could partner Gerald Coetzee and Jasprit Bumrah in the pace attack, with Shreyas Gopal continuing to serve as the frontline 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, Mohammad Nabi, Shreyas Gopal, Jasprit Bumrah, Gerald Coetzee, Nuwan Thushara.

Other impact sub candidates: Harvik Desai, Naman Dhir, Shams Mulani, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya.