The Mumbai Indians side will be looking to put up another great show in this year’s IPL. They are playing their first match against their rivals Chennai Super Kings at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The last time Mumbai Indians faced Chennai Super Kings in an IPL game was in the 2019 IPL final.
Mumbai defeated Chennai in a last-ball thriller to avenge as champions for the fourth time. After winning the 2019 IPL title, Rohit Sharma became the most successful IPL captain in the history of the IPL.
He’s now the most successful captain in the history of Indian Premier League. The ‘Hitman’ took over from Ricky Ponting mid-season in 2013 and hasn’t looked back ever since. In fact, the same season Rohit Sharma took over as captain, Mumbai Indians went on to win the IPL title for the very first time.
If we closely look at the Mumbai Indians franchise they have always relied on the core of Pandya Brothers, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Jasprit Bumrah. Every season they build their team around these four key players. In the past we have seen the likes of Ambati Rayudu, James Franklin play some crucial knocks for the sides in the past.
Even for the upcoming season, the Mumbai management has bought players which support the skill set of the core players. So let us take a look at the players we should watch out for this season which includes both new and old players.
Let’s take a look at the Top 5 players to watch out for Mumbai Indians:
1. Chris Lynn
The man from Australia is one of the most destructive T20 batsmen in international cricket. Over the years we have seen in hit some huge sixes in the Big Bash League for the Brisbane heat. Previously he represented in the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise for over six years until he was released ahead of the 2020 IPL Auction.
Chris Lynn was bought for his base price of 2 Crore rupees in the IPL 2020 auction since there were no other bidders for him. It is expected that Chris Lynn would either open with Rohit Sharma or Quinton de Kock at the top and is expected to give fiery destructive starts to the Mumbai Indians side.
Since his strike rate in the first 6 overs is more than 150 we expect him to hit big if he’s included in the playing XI of Mumbai Indians. While former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar predicted that Lynn will not get a single game, Lynn will certainly be one of the 5 Mumbai Indians players to watch for.
2. Hardik Pandya
The most awaited return of Hardik Pandya is finally here as the all-rounder from Gujarat is all set to represent the Mumbai Indians franchise in the upcoming edition of the IPL. It’s been over a year since we last saw Hardik Pandya play a competitive international game.
As we know Hardik Pandya has been in the news for everything else other than cricket since the last couple of years so the all-rounder must be raring to go this season and would want to put up a great show for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Also, with MS Dhoni announcing his retirement, Hardik Pandya might just want to prove a point to the selectors that he is India’s rightful finisher going ahead. He has recovered well from injury and will be ready to set the stage on fire.
3. Trent Boult
The fast bowler from New Zealand is considered to be one of the best fast bowlers in the world right now. His record in the one-day and T20 format has been phenomenal. As we all know He has been a proven matchwinner for the New Zealand side over the years. Prior to this season, he represented the Delhi capital’s franchise in the 2019 IPL.
Earlier in an interview Trent Boult said that he’s very excited to ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah with Bumrah and bold as Mumbai Indians to mean keep fast bowling options the oppositions are up for an extreme challenge facing these two great fast bowlers.
By all means, we expect the duo of Bumrah and Boult to open the bowling for Mumbai Indians this season.
4. Rohit Sharma
When we talk about the top 5 players to watch out for its very hard to ignore a quality batsman like Rohit Sharma. The hitman has been a phenomenal captain for the Mumbai Indians franchise ever since from Ricky Ponting in 2013 and has four IPL titles for the Mumbai Indians franchise.
He is also the most successful IPL captain in the history only behind the legend MS Dhoni of Chennai Super Kings. It is expected that the Rohit Sharma would open the innings alongside either Chris Lynn or Quinton de Kock and is expected to score a lot of runs since his side will be defending their 2019 title this year.
Rohit will be returning from an injury and will be keen to star as Mumbai look to defend their title.
5. Kieron Pollard
The big man Kieron Pollard is coming off After winning the 2020 Caribbean Premier League in West Indies and will be looking to apply the same form in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. He scored a bulk of runs for his side and even picked up wickets at crucial stages which could prove beneficial for the Mumbai Indians side going ahead in this IPL season.
With Kieron Pollard being a proven match-winner and a finisher for the Mumbai Indians side since last few years, he will be looking to finish off more matches in the upcoming season. Also not to forget the short boundaries in Sharjah could go on to help his big-hitting.