IPL 2020: Strengths and Weaknesses of Mumbai Indians (MI)

Outstanding pace bowling, the highlight as we look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2020.

The Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians beefed up their 2019 squad by adding the dynamic Chris Lynn at the top, Saurabh Tiwari in the middle-order, Sherfane Rutherford as the all-rounder, and Trent Boult, Dhawal Kulkarni & Nathan Coulter-Nile in the bowling department.

As if the defending champions, Mumbai Indians’ winning squad of 2019 was not enough that they had to add these players in their line-up that only made them even more strong. BUT, and we say that in capitals that this is still not the perfect squad you would see in a team, and MI are slightly feeble in one area which may or may not turn into their weakness. 

So, looking at all the things, have the Mumbai Indians finally got the squad to have a shot at their maiden trophy? Let’s analyze the squad, and look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2020. 

Mumbai Indians (MI) final squad for IPL 2020: 

Batsmen	Aditya Tare (WK), Anmolpreet Singh, Chris Lynn, Ishan Kishan (WK), Quinton de Kock (WK), Rohit Sharma (C), Saurabh Tiwari, and Suryakumar Yadav.
All-rounders	Anukul Roy, Balwant Rai Singh, Digvijay Deshmukh, Hardik Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, and Sherfane Rutherford.
Bowlers	Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McCleneghan, Mohsin Khan, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, and Trent Boult.

Strengths of Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2020:

#1: An Outstanding Pace Bowling Line-up

When you have Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McCleneghan, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Trent Boult in the mix along with the pacey Wankhade pitch, your captain would be the happiest man alive. 

While Jasprit Bumrah would lead the pace attack, Trent Boult, and Lasith Malinga would be fighting for 1-2 spots, and Dhawal, Mitch & Coulter-Nile would provide for perfect backups as and when necessary based on the pitch and situation. 

Interestingly, every pacer brings in its own attributes to the table, and the presence of such variety pacers makes Mumbai Indians as one of the best pace bowling line-ups of the tournament, if not the very best. 

#2: A Dangerous Top-order

Rohit Sharma with either of Quinton de Kock or Chris Lynn is definitely going to open the innings for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020. But, imagine all three playing in the top-order. That’s exciting, isn’t it?

Well, this is certainly possible, and if this happens, it won’t be an overstatement to say that Mumbai Indians would then have the most dangerous top-order of the tournament; only to precede David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, and Kane Williamson of SRH.

Even if two of the above three players play at the top, their other number 3, Suryakumar Yadav is equally good and destructive, even though he is better of to play as an opener than 3. But, fans would be praying to see QDK, Lynn, and Rohit at the top, which would strengthen MI’s batting. 

#3: Dynamic All-rounder Match-winners

Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, and Kieron Pollard have been Mumbai Indians’ core match winners for quite some time now. While Hardik and Krunal contribute in all the three departments, Kieron Pollard’s blazing batting and fielding more or less make up for his bowling.

However, Polly has recently started contributing with his bowling too as seen in the recent International matches. If he gives those 2-3 important overs in the middle-overs, Mumbai Indians can afford to play both, Lynn and De Kock at the top. 

Moreover, as if these three were not enough, Mumbai Indians traded-in Sherfane Rutherford, the dynamic all-rounder from the West Indies. This only makes their finishing stronger. Of course, they also have Jayant Yadav in the mix, who acts as a useful backup. 

Weakness(es) of Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2020:

There is no such thing called perfection, and Mumbai Indians with all their strengths have a weakness which may or may not haunt them in IPL 2020. 

#1: The Number 4 Conundrum

Just like Team India, Mumbai Indians don’t have a primary good number 4 in their line-up, and they have to rely on Ishan Kishan, Saurabh Tiwari, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, or Krunal Pandya to play this role depending on the situation.

There’s no doubt about the capabilities of Hardik, Krunal, or Pollard, but playing them at 4, 5, and 6 makes their tail slightly weak, and Mumbai Indians would not afford that. On the other hand, playing Ishan Kishan or Saurabh Tiwari would not wipe out their number 4 problem completely. 

Well, they certainly can eliminate this issue with Rohit, QDK, Lynn at the top, SKY at 4, and then followed by Hardik, Polly, and Krunal. But, doing that means playing only one of Malinga or Boult; thus making bowling slightly weak. 

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, Mumbai Indians’ strengths make them one of the most dangerous squads of the tournament, and It won’t be a surprise if we see Mumbai Indians retaining the trophy for the first time in IPL. 

Mumbai Indians (MI) strongest predicted playing 11 for IPL 2020:

Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, and Lasith Malinga.

Thanks for reading! What is it that you like the most in Mumbai Indians? Please, let’s know in the comments. 

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ALSO READ: IPL 2020 Special: Predicted Playing XI of Mumbai Indians (MI)

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