IPL 2022: Best Predicted 23 Players Squad for Mumbai Indians (MI)

A strong Indian contingent in focus as we look at the best predicted squad for Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2022. 

Mumbai Indians – the most successful franchise in IPL history with 5 titles to their name retained a total of 4 players ahead of IPL 2022 Mega Auction. The retentions for them were more on the expected lines with Captain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kieron Pollard being the 4 names. 

However, given the strong contingent, they had in IPL 2020 and IPL 2021, the likes of Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Trent Boult, Rahul Chahar would have been retained too if Mumbai Indians had that option. If not all, they can definitely get a few of these players from the Mega Auction. 

So, with the kind of options available in the pool, and from the original group of players that played for them in IPL 2021, what could be the squad that Mumbai Indians (MI) will want to have for IPL 2022? Let’s find out in this article. To keep things simple, we shall be exploring the squad in different categories. 

Openers

Opening Batters: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Quinton de Kock

Backups: Evin Lewis, Aditya Tare, and Anmolpreet Singh

Mumbai Indians had stable openers in IPL 2021 with Captain Rohit Sharma leading from the front. He was equally supported by the wicket-keeping duo of Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan. They even had Chris Lynn as a worthy backup. But Mumbai Indians could only manage to retain Rohit Sharma in the auction. This means Ishan Kishan and Quinton de Kock would be hot properties in the auction. 

Mumbai Indians would definitely like to have their wicket-keeping duo back in the squad. With INR 48 Cr left in the kitty, MI wouldn’t mind spending around 16-18 Cr on both of these. In addition, Mumbai would be happy to have their old chap, Evin Lewis, back in the squad. In terms of the backups, no harm in getting the tried and tested Aditya Tare and Anmolpreet Singh in the squad. 

Other Batters

Main Other Batters: Suryakumar Yadav, Nitish Rana, and Kieron Pollard

Backups: Sarfaraz Khan and Rassie Van der Dussen

Coming to the middle-order, Mumbai Indians retained Suryakumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard in the squad. Both were the backbone of the Mumbai team with SKY playing at 3 and Pollard playing as a finisher. However, Mumbai let go of Hardik Pandya and Saurabh Tiwari. The team also lacked another strong overseas middle-order player in 2021, and they felt the issue. 

To compensate for Hardik and an overseas player, MI can add a strong overseas Middle-order batter in the form of Rassie Van der Dussen and another of their old chap Nitish Rana, who had started his IPL journey in Mumbai Indians. The team should also look to acquire the services of Sarfaraz Khan. Although Sarfaraz hasn’t proven himself as yet, he is definitely a talent to have in the squad. 

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ALSO READ: IPL 2022 Special: Best Predicted Squad for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

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All-rounders

Two Main All-rounders: Kieron Pollard, Rishi Dhawan, and Jimmy Neesham 

Backup All-rounders: Jayant Yadav, Anukul Roy, and Arjun Tendulkar 

This is an area that Mumbai Indians would miss a lot. They had settled all-rounders in the form of Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Jimmy Neesham, Jayant Yadav, and Kieron Pollard. While Polly is retained by MI, Hardik is retained by the Ahmedabad franchise. Whereas Krunal, Jayant, and Jimmy are still available. 

Firstly, there is no like-for-like backup for Hardik available in the Indian contingent. Hence, Mumbai Indians can look at one of the consistent all-rounders in the domestic circuit, Rishi Dhawan. He can be a good bowling all-rounder in the squad to complement Kieron Pollard, who is a strong batting all-rounder. 

Secondly, from the remaining 3 all-rounders, Mumbai Indians can look at buying at least the likes of Jayant Yadav and Jimmy Neesham. MI may not get or may not want the services of Krunal Pandya as he could be expensive. Instead, they can look at youngsters backups Anukul Roy and Arjun Tendulkar to fill this gap. 

Spinners

Main Spinners: Rahul Chahar and Jayant Yadav 

Backup Openers: Anukul Roy and Prashant Solanki

It is no secret that Mumbai Indians have always been a pace-friendly team. They have always Invested in pacers more than spinners, and the Wankhede pitches show why pacers are more helpful. So, the IPL 2022 Mega Auction won’t be any different. They can go for their leading spinner Rahul Chahar in the Auction, who can get around 6-7 Cr.

In addition, MI can look at Jayant Yadav as the second spinner and Anukul Roy as the third spinner in the squad. These two can be utilized as and when they play on the pitches similar to Chennai, Jaipur, or Delhi. From the backup point of view, local Leg spinner Prashant Solanki is a good option to have. The leggie can be groomed and developed into a valuable spinner. 

Pacers

Main Pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Mark Wood 

Backup Pacers: Dominic Drakes and Ishan Porel 

This is an area where Mumbai Indians have always Invested a lot. The team had Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult as their leading pacers in 2021, and they both did a fantastic job. In addition, Mumbai had Adam Milne, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Marco Jansen as backups in the squad. 

While Jasprit Bumrah will continue to lead the Mumbai Indians squad, they would definitely want Trent Boult back in the squad. While it is understandable that Boult could be expensive, they can shell out around 5-6 Cr for him. However, Adam Milne, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Marco Jansen may or may not be on MI’s potential list.

From the new pacers available in the market, Mumbai Indians can go for the pace of Mark Wood, West Indian Dominic Drakes, and young Ishan Porel as potential options. Mark Wood would be a super addition with his pace. Whereas Dominic Drakes, and Ishan Porel will be superb backup options to have.

So, that completes the predicted squad for Mumbai Indians for IPL 2022. While Mumbai may find it difficult to acquire the services of everyone, we expect Mumbai to purchase at least 60-70% of these potential options in the auction. 

IPL 2022 – Best Predicted Squad for Mumbai Indians (MI)

Batters: Aditya Tare (WK), Anmolpreet Singh, Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan (WK), Nitish Rana, Quinton de Kock, Rassie Van der Dussen, Rohit Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, and Suryakumar Yadav.

All-rounders: Anukul Roy, Arjun Tendulkar, Jayant Yadav, Jimmy Neesham, Kieron Pollard, and Rishi Dhawan

Bowlers: Dominic Drakes, Ishan Porel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mark Wood, Prashant Solani, Rahul Chahar, and Trent Boult

Coach: Mahela Jayawardane // Captain: Rohit Sharma // Vice-captain: Kieron Pollard

Thanks for reading! What’s your Mumbai Indians (MI) squad for IPL 2022? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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