IPL 2019: How Mumbai Indians could lineup for the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad-Mumbai Indians rivalry resumes on Saturday as MI travel to Hyderabad to face an upbeat SRH in match 19 of IPL 2019 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Both SRH and MI won their last matches and this match is expected to be another belter of a contest.
Mumbai Indians named a slightly changed XI against the Chennai Super Kings and it is expected that they will make some changes for the match against SRH as well. The Hyderabad wicket is expected to assist batting and the combination that Rohit Sharma opts to go with will be interesting to see.
So, without further ado, here is the strongest possible playing XI of MI against SRH:
Openers: Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock
This has been MI's most settled opening partnership in years and both these batsmen have performed very well so far. Barring their last match against CSK, the opening duo have consistently given goood starts at the top for MI.
Rohit Sharma and de Kock failed to score big against CSK, but on a good batting wicket at Hyderabad, expect another brilliant start from these two at the top for MI.
Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, and Kieron Pollard
Suryakumar Yadav has looked in brilliant touch so far in this year's IPL and he scored a half-century in the win against CSK. Yadav has been timing the ball very well and he will be looking forward to scoring big against SRH.
Yuvraj Singh started this year's IPL with a bang, but has failed to score big in the last couple of matches for MI. The southpaw would be looking to make amends as he faces his former team on Saturday.
Kieron Pollard showed everyone just how devastating he can be with the bat against CSK and also plucked out a stunning catch to dismiss the dangerous Suresh Raina. Rohit is a skipper who always backs his players and the West Indian could play a massive role against SRH.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya
The Pandya brothers are indispensable to this MI team and they showed it against CSK with their brilliant all-round performance. Hardik scored a match-turning 25 runs off just 8 balls and he picked up 3 key wickets in his 4 overs. The younger Pandya has looked in ominous touch, especially with the bat.
Krunal, on the other hand, scored a very important 42 runs against CSK and his economical spell of bowling in the middle overs was also crucial. Krunal has had a good record against SRH and he will be looking forward to Saturday.
Bowlers: Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Behrendorff, and Mitchell McClenaghan
Markande didn't play the last game against CSK due to illness, but is expected to replace Rahul Chahar in the match against SRH. He bowled brilliantly the last time MI was in Hyderabad and he would be hoping for the same.
Jasprit Bumrah is currently the best death bowler in the world and he has been brilliant for MI so far. It will be interesting to see how Bumrah bowls on a brilliant batting wicket at Hyderabad.
Jason Behrendorff made a brilliant IPL debut against CSK as he took 2 wickets for MI with the new ball. Behrendorff is brilliant with the new ball and he will be up against the best opening pair in this year's IPL against SRH.
Lasith Malinga has gone back to Sri Lanka to play in the Super Provisional One Day Tournament, which is to serve as trials for the selection of Sri Lanka's World Cup team. So, Malinga's untimely departure calls for a replacement and McClenaghan is likely to be recalled in the playing XI of MI.