IPL 2016, MI vs KKR Playing 11: Probable line-up for Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians (Confirmed Playing 11)

Confirmed Playing 11: Rohit Sharma(c), Parthiv Patel(w), Ambati Rayudu, Jos Buttler, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah

The 24th match of the VIVO IPL 2016 promises to be a gruelling encounter as the defending champions Mumbai Indians will come face-to-face against two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders. The match will be played on Thursday at the home ground of MI, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The campaigns of both teams have gone in different directions so far. While the Indians having a fairly inconsistent run with 4 losses in 7 matches, KKR has established themselves at the top of the league table. However, Kolkata's only loss in the tournament till now has come at the hands of the 2015 IPL champions. KKR's primary objective will be to maintain their No. 1 position whereas Mumbai will looking to add consistency to their performance.

Here's how the Mumbai Indians may line up in their match against the Knight Riders:

Batting

Skipper Rohit Sharma has led from the front for Mumbai with 230 runs in 7 matches so far at an average of over 38. Not too far behind is Ambati Rayudu, who has also scored more than 200 runs at a 36-plus average and played a couple of fighting knocks for his team. Opening batsman Parthiv Patel has also shown glimpses of good form with 154 runs in 6 innings.

New recruits Jos Buttler and Krunal Pandya have also scored more than 100 runs for MI; however, the latter has scored his runs at a tremendous average of 105 and a strike rate of over 187. Despite all the batsmen being in decent form for Mumbai Indians, they will need to fire as a unit if the defending champions want to stay in the race for the playoffs.

All-rounders

Surprisingly enough, Krunal Pandya has been the top all-rounder for the Indians in the 2016 season scoring runs and picking up wickets. One of their most important players over the years, Kieron Pollard, has underperformed to quite an extent this time with just 71 runs and no wickets to his name.

Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has also been a disappointment having scored only 30 runs and picked up 2 wickets. The all-rounders will have a key role to play for Mumbai to improve their performance.

Bowling

With 11 wickets in his kitty, paceman Mitch McCleanaghan has been leading the race for the Purple Cap for quite a while. He has received outstanding support from his two fast bowling partners, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tim Southee, who have been among the wickets with 8 and 5 respectively.

The trouble for the Mumbai Indians has been in their spin bowling department as ace spinner Harbhajan Singh has been struggling for form. The senior of the Pandya brothers, Krunal, has done the second spinner's job quite well, though, with 3 wickets at a miserly economy rate of 6.57.

The spinners will have to step up to the task and give adequate support to the fast bowlers if they want to give the team a fair chance to defend their title.

Probable Playing XI

Rohit Sharma (c), Parthiv Patel (wk), Ambati Rayudu, Jos Buttler, Corey Anderson, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Tim Southee, Mitchell McCleanaghan, Jasprit Bumrah.