After all the speculation over the IPL to take place, the IPL fans were shown some light as the league is now set to kick-off in UAE from September. Mumbai Indians will go into the tournament as the defending champions and the leading contenders to bag the title. Mumbai Indians are definitely one of the strongest teams in the league which also justifies their 4 times league wins. Rohit and Co. have reached the finals on four occasions under his captaincy and managed to win all four times with the IPL 2019 being won by a nail-biting 1 run over Chennai Super Kings. It would be no surprise Rohit Sharma would be going into the tournament all guns blazing as he stated in his latest interview he was dying to make it to the field after the forced long break due to the pandemic.
With the IPL 2020 around the corner. Cricwizz takes a look into the 5 Mumbai Indians players to watch out for this year.
1. Rohit Sharma
It wouldn't be a surprise that the third highest run-getter in IPL history of IPL and the most successful IPL captain would be on the player to watch on with eyes glued on. It's one thing to watch the 33-year old Opener take on the bowlers and get into his own zone and another delight to watch him captain the team. The Right-hander has a great amount of experience both in the International and domestic level and also knows the team ever since he took the lead in 2013. He will be required to use that to full effect once again to take MI over the line.
Rohit is the third highest run-getter in the history of IPL only behind Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina. He also grabs the fourth spot in the players with most sixes in IPL. The MI captain has amassed 4898 runs in the 188 matches he has played in the league at a modest average of 32 and stunning strike-rate of 131. He has 1 century and 36 half centuries with a high-score of 109 to his name.
2. Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is making a comeback to the sport after an injury. His return to the highest level in a series against South Africa was a no-go with the pandemic causing forced lockdown. He was doubted to be a bit rusty as he hasn't been on the field over 9 months. But his stunning innings of 158 in 55 balls in the DY Patil tournament might just prove that wrong. The 26-year old surely is an asset for the Mumbai Indians with his all-round abilities. The right-hander has scored 1068 runs in the 66 matches he has played in the IPL and picked up 42 wickets. He has a strike-rate of almost 160 which proves very difficult for the opposition to stop him at times.
3. Chris Lynn
The 30-year old big hitter is definitely the opener any team would be thrilled to have. Though, his recent decline in form made KKR release him. Mumbai Indians bagged him for a bargain of 2 crores which could turn out to be an excellent buy if the Australian clicks. The Mumbai Indians would have been definitely on their feet when the australian finished the Abu Dhabi T10 League as the top scorer. He has scored 1280 runs in the 41 matches he has played in the league at an modest average of 34 and strike-rate of 141. He has 10 half-centuries and a high-score of 93 to his name.
4. Kieron Pollard
Considered one of the pillars of the Mumbai Indians from the last 10 years. He has no point to prove, as he has already proven how he can slam the opposition down in a matter of a few overs. He is one among the few players along with the MI captains who has featured in all four wins of the franchise. His destructive batting combined with incredible fielding and match experience makes him one of the players to watch out for. The 33-year old has 2755 runs in the 148 matches he has played at an average of 29 and amazing strike-rate of 147. He has also picked up 56 wickets and has some memorable catches in the league which no IPL fan can ever get off their head.
5. Jasprit bumrah
Like Hardik Pandya, Bumrah was out of action for a few months too with a stress fracture but made a return to the team showing he was fully fit and is back. The No.2 ranked ODI bowler is the bowler all teams are dying to have for his incredible skill of bowling yorkers at will and exceptional death bowling. The 26-year old finished the last season with 19 wickets to his name and, and given the potential he has it wouldn't be surprise if he would better that this season. The Right-hander has claimed 82 wickets in the 77 matches he played in the IPL at a strike-rate of 21. He has the best figures of 3/7 to his name.
Cover Credits: CricketCountry
