Five-time champions Mumbai Indians eye encore however some spin worries in manner

A batting line-up dotted with power-hitters coupled with a strong pack of demise bowlers make five-time champions Mumbai Indians a formidable unit within the upcoming IPL.
But the absence of high quality spinners may harm them in pursuit of a hat-trick of title wins.
Here is a have a look at what works and what doesn’t for the outfit led by Rohit Sharma, which opens its marketing campaign by taking up Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai on April 9.
Strengths
After lifting the trophy in 2019, Mumbai as soon as once more gained in 2020 when the profitable league was shifted to UAE because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The win was constructed on the staff’s energy — their core has remained the identical through the years and this is without doubt one of the largest causes for the aspect’s dominant run.

The H.U.S.T.L.E. is 🔛#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #IPL2021 @ImZaheer @iamanmolpreet28 pic.twitter.com/lSBw58pg4c
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 30, 2021
MI’s batting is their largest energy they usually possess a strong opening duo within the type of skipper Rohit Sharma and South African Quinton De Kock, and if wanted, have an choice in Australian hard-hitting batsman Chris Lynn.
The ever-improving Suryakumar Yadav, younger Ishan Kishan, each of whom starred on their India debuts, the Pandya brothers — all-rounders Hardik and Krunal — and West Indian Kieron Pollard, make for a really sturdy middle-order.
On the quick bowling entrance, the staff possesses one of many best in Jasprit Bumrah, and the India pacer could be raring to go as soon as once more after a break from the sport.
Last season’s new addition, New Zealand’s Trent Boult proved his value by taking wickets within the powerplay, together with within the large last. Add Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile to the combination and it turns into an excellent tempo assault.
Weaknesses
Their issues may lie within the spin division, which is a bit gentle, particularly on Chennai’s Chepauk observe. Lack of a wicket-taking spinner may harm the Mumbai Indians’ prospects.
With Lasith Malinga bidding adieu to franchise cricket, MI have been left to replenish an enormous void.
Left-arm spinner Krunal, who was taken to the cleaners by the visiting England aspect within the ODI collection, is extra of a restrictive choice and there’s Rahul Chahar, one of many finds of the IPL.
Off-spinner Jayant Yadav performed solely two matches within the final season and it stays to be seen what number of video games he’ll get this time round.
Mumbai have roped in skilled leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, but when the staff persists with Krunal and Chahar, he may find yourself warming the benches.
Chawla, for the file, has 156 wickets within the IPL, the third highest for any bowler within the league’s historical past.

Don’t they appear fa’Blue’lous 😍💙
📸 from our photoshoot on the @RenaissanceMum 🙌#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #IPL2021 @ishankishan51 @lynny50 @MarriottBonvoy pic.twitter.com/rnFlzGcMGz
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 29, 2021
Mumbai have a robust A aspect however don’t have sufficient replacements for every slot and have comparatively younger gamers as their bench energy.
Opportunity
Given that each one of Mumbai middle-order batters are big-hitters, this might give the aspect a bonus over others, particularly whereas chasing large totals at locations like Chennai and Bengaluru.
Threat
All this would possibly make sure that Pollard must contribute with the ball too, and play the position of the fifth or the sixth bowler, relying on the enjoying XI that’s fielded.
Pollard, who has been with Mumbai Indians for a substantial period of time, is their second highest run-scorer (3,023 runs) after Rohit Sharma (5,230 runs) and has grabbed 60 wickets.
Pollard has additionally smashed 198 sixes and is the second highest for his franchise after Rohit, who has hit 213 sixes.
The opponents may fancy their probabilities however MI positively have the staff to go for a sixth title and third on the row.
Squad:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Adam Milne, Aditya Tare, Anmolpreet Singh, Anukul Roy, Arjun Tendulkar, Chris Lynn, Dhawal Kulkarni, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), James Neesham, Jasprit Bumrah, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Marco Jansen, Mohsin Khan, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Piyush Chawla, Quinton De Kock (wicket-keeper), Rahul Chahar, Saurabh Tiwary, Suryakumar Yadav, Trent Boult, Yudhvir Singh. Mahela Jayawardene (Head Coach).