IPL 2016, DD vs MI Playing 11: List of today's Probable XI for Mumbai Indians
Two great Indian cities will collide on the cricket field as the Delhi Daredevils take on the Mumbai Indians in an all-important IPL 2016 clash. Delhi made a poor start to the tournament but recovered well to register back-to-back wins in their next two matches. Mumbai, on the other hand, have had a rocky ride so far in this season as they have lost 3 out of the 5 matches they have played. The agenda will be completely different for both teams going into their match on Saturday. While DD will want to maintain their winning run, MI will be hoping they can shrug off some of their inconsistency.
Let's take a look at how Mumbai may line up in the 17th match of the VIVO IPL 2016:
Batting
Mumbai have been decent on the batting front in this season with a couple of their batsman already having crossed 100 runs in this season. Skipper Rohit Sharma has led from the front having scored 164 runs in 5 innings with 2 half-centuries accompanied by Ambati Rayudu, who has 127 runs at an average of just under 32.
The other batsmen have scored runs but have not been consistent enough with Parthiv Patel, Jos Buttler and Kieron Pollard all having just one good knock under their belt each. The situation has not been helped by the departure of Lendl Simmons, who had to leave due to an injury.
The batsmen will have to deliver as a unit if Mumbai Indians are to garner any hopes of a successful title defence.
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All-rounders
Compared to some of the other teams in the IPL, MI boast of a greater all-round strength. However, the performance of their all-rounders so far this season has not been up to the mark. Pollard, who has been their top all-rounder over the past few years, has not bowled a single delivery.
Hardik Pandya, too, has also struggled to get going with both bat and ball. His brother Krunal Pandya, though, has been quite a revelation for the Mumbai side with 69 runs in 2 innings and 3 wickets. Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also showcased his all-round skills with an unbeaten 45 in the first match against RPS.
Bowling
The Mumbai Indians bowling has been quite good despite the absence of strike bowler Lasith Malinga. Left-arm pacer Mitchell McCleanaghan has been the leader of the pack with 7 wickets and is also the current Purple Cap holder. He has been supported well by Jasprit Bumrah, who has 5 wickets to his name.
The spinners, though, have not had the best of tournaments with Harbhajan struggling to get wickets and others like Shreyas Gopal and Jagadeesha Suchith having played just one match each. Krunal Pandya has done a very decent job as the 2nd spinner with 3 wickets and an economy of under 6.
If MI want to improve on their performances this season, the spin bowlers will have to provide adequate support to the pacemen.
Probable Playing XI – Rohit Sharma (c), Parthiv Patel (wk), Ambati Rayudu, Jos Buttler, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McCleanaghan, Tim Southee, Jasprit Bumrah.