IPL 2018: Mumbai Indians squad analysis

#2 All-Rounders

Pandya Brothers have been an invaluable asset for the Mumbai Indians

It is due to the all-rounders that Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians might just finish ahead of their opponents. Mumbai is blessed with excellent all-rounders in the side. Kieron Pollard (over 2300 runs at a strike rate of above 146 in IPL) and the Pandya brothers are the very core of the team. Although it would be interesting to see how Pollard bowls, even an over or two from Pollard and MI can go into the match having 22-24 overs in the bank. Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya can easily bowl 4 overs on their day.

With the spin attack looking weak, Krunal Pandya (10 wickets in 13 matches in IPL 2017) and JP Duminy (23 career wickets at an economy of around 7 in the league) can chip in with the ball if needed and make the side look balanced. Krunal Pandya was the Man of the Match in the finals last year and MI would hope that more of such contributions will be coming from his bat and ball in the coming season. The best part is all of them are match winners with the bat and will have to play a key role if MI are to have a successful season.

Ben Cutting, who made quite a name for himself after playing a vital role in SRH's title win in 2016, is also in the squad but might have to wait for his chance in the playing 11 (which may not come unless there is an injury).

The strength therefore is clearly in the all-rounders of the team who somehow manage to hide the weaknesses. A big challenge for the team might be to zero in on four overseas players. While Lewis and Pollard seem to be a certainty because of the former being a designated opener and the latter being a proven match winner for the Mumbai Indians, if MI go for JP Duminy then they can only have one overseas bowling option. On the other hand, having 2 overseas bowlers might just make the batting a little weak.