Published: Apr 24, 2016, 09:08 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 25, 2016, 08:54 AM (IST)
Mumbai Indians (MI) take on Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Match 21 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016. This is the ninth edition of IPL, with MI playing KXIP in an away fixture at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. MI lost to Delhi Daredevils (DD) by 10 runs with Rohit Sharma’s wicket acting as a game changer for MI. Rohit made 62 runs with his team coming just a few hits away from victory. Main cause of concern for MI has been their batting, especially the middle order that has failed to click in most of the matches. Vishal Mehra takes a look at the probable XI that MI could field against KXIP to come back to winning ways. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Match 21 at Mohali
Top order: MI have been lucky to get opening woes sorted out after having such disastrous opening partnerships in the earlier seasons. Parthiv Patel has been one of the most consistent players, getting them off to good starts. Rohit has been their go-to batsmen so far in IPL 9, only to end up on the losing side in the last match against DD. Rohit was unlucky to get run-out in the final over for 65. Coming in next is Ambati Rayudu, who has failed to convert his starts into big scores. Rayudu has, every season, been criticized for the same and will look to prove his detractors wrong.
Middle Order: This is where the real problem lies for MI, with most of their batsmen failing at most crucial stages. Jos Buttler, who was a star player for England in the World T20, has showed glimpses of his brilliance on few occasions. Buttler will need to get his A game if he has to cement his place in the squad for a long time, with Corey Anderson waiting in the wings. Pandya brothers have flourished and failed at different stages of the game, more so Hardik Pandya. Krunal Pandya has showed more maturity in his batting and smartness in his bowling. MI need Pandya brothers to come good in sync if they have any chances of winning matches. With the failure of Kieron Pollard in crunch situations, he has become more a liability for MI. MI seriously need to get in Martin Guptill in the playing XI, who has been in great run with the bat for New Zealand.
Lower Order: MI bowling has been able to successfully control the flow of runs with Mitchell McClenaghan leading the charge for them. Spinning duties have been very well taken care by Harbhajan Singh, who has been good nabbing wickets at crucial moments. McClenaghan is also the leading wicket-taker in IPL 9 with 9 wickets in 6 matches. He has been ably supported by Jasprit Bumrah, who himself has scalped 5 wickets in 6 games for MI. Tim Southee will round of a seam heavy attack; he has so far picked 3 wickets but been on a higher side of the economy.
Mumbai Indians playing XI (batting order): Rohit Sharma (c), Parthiv Patel, Ambati Rayudu (wk), Jos Buttler, Krunal Pandya, Martin Guptill, Hardik Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McClenaghan, Tim Southee and Jasprit Bumrah
(Vishal Mehra is a reporter at CricketCountry, who enjoys his weekly dose of anime, and plays cricket once a white moon. His twitter handle is @vishal_oxyjinn.)
