Monday, April 3, 2017

IPL 2017 Team Preview - Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians have one of the most rounded squads for IPL 2017 and while other teams having been sweating over the injuries of key players, Mumbai welcome their leading batsman and captain Rohit Sharma; who is returning after a long lay-off. MI will be hoping to 'Hilao the Duniya' & pick up their third IPL title as they have also roped in the astute Mahela Jayawardena in their backroom staff!

Key Players - Mumbai captain and their batting mainstay Rohit 'Hitman' Sharma is scheduled to return from injury that laid him low late last year. They also have Parthiv Patel who is coming off a stellar year in domestic cricket. Buttler, Rayudu, Pollard and Pandya brothers shore up their middle order.

They have enough arsenal in their bowling tank with Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Johnson and Jasprit Bumrah all set to rev up and scare the opposition batsmen away. Old timer Harbhajan leads the spin department along with Krunal Pandya. 

Injury Tracker - Mitchell McClenaghan and Tim Southee were recently injured and it is not clear if they are available right from the start.

Fantasy Cricket Pick - Rohit Sharma
He is one of the leading batsman in IPL cricket and has been a key figure for the Mumbai team over the years.

Fantasy Cricket Wildcard Pick - Asela Gunaratne
He is not a big name but has already established himself as a vital cog in the Lankan set-up. Capable of big hitting late in the innings, he also bowls clever slower balls to befuddle the batsmen. MI did a great job by aquiring him at this years auction.

My Prediction - Mumbai, as always, have a nice and settled line up with an array of players who can come in and fill up a position left vacant in case of any emergency or injury. Traditionally MI have been slow starters but once they get going it is almost impossible to stop them. I expect a top 3 finish from them in this, the 10th edition of the VIVO IPL.

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