Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked his ideal playing XI of Mumbai Indians for IPL 2022. The five-time IPL champion will kick-off their campaign against Delhi Capitals on March 27 at the Brabourne Stadium.

The Mumbai franchise have a completely revamped side with many youngsters in their side. They seem to be slightly short in both the batting and bowling departments and will need to be at the top of their game to qualify for the playoffs.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said:

“Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, the two openers, there is no doubt about it, left and right-handed. They have always loved a left-handed opener. At No. 3 will be Suryakumar Yadav but he might not be available for the first match. So you may actually want to change the opening combination as well.”

Adding further, Aakash Chopra highlighted the lack of potent bowling options in the top six.

“Tilak Varma at No. 4 maybe, Kieron Pollard at No. 5 and Tim David at No. 6. If you see these six, there are not too many actual bowling options. Tim David and Kieron Pollard do bowl a little, it’s not the same quality that used to be there – Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya – they were like decent three-over bowlers,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added. 

“I will give one to Markande ahead of Murugan Ashwin” – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra reckons the Mumbai Indians will have to choose between Daniel Sams, Fabien Allen and Arshad Khan as the bowling all-rounder.

“If we talk about the bowling – Daniel Sams, Fabien Allen, Arshad Khan – you will try to play one out of them after Tim David. You have four more vacant places to fill after that,” Chopra said. 

He then went onto add:

“One will go to Jasprit Bumrah, there is no doubt about that. I will give one to Markande ahead of Murugan Ashwin. Among Unadkat and Basil Thampi, I will go towards Unadkat and I will play Tymal Mills and not Riley Meredith.”

Aakash Chopra’s ideal Mumbai Indians XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, N Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Daniel Sams/Fabien Allen/Arshad Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Markande, Jaydev Unadkat, Tymal Mills