IPL 2024 Mumbai Indians (MI) Strongest Predicted Playing 11

Hardik Pandya, the captain in focus as we look at IPL 2024 MI playing 11 while batting and bowling first for Mumbai Indians.

The most successful side in the history of the Indian Premier with 5 titles to their name, the Mumbai Indians will begin their 2024 campaign in the most controversial fashion. In one of the hottest trades in the history of the IPL, the MI team roped in Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans in an all-cash deal. Not just that, the team will also see Hardik Pandya as the captain of the side ahead of Rohit Sharma. 

While the news did come as a shocker to all MI fans, it doesn’t take away the fact that Mumbai Indians now arguably have the strongest team on paper for IPL 2024. With an Indian all-rounder coming in, who is also the best Indian All-rounder, the team also got the likes of Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madhushanka, and Mohammad Nabi to name a few.

With impact player rule in place, it makes the Mumbai Indians even more stronger to compete. So, with just over a month to go for IPL 2024, let’s look at the MI (Mumbai Indians) playing 11 while batting and bowling first and considering the impact player rule. Before that, let’s also look at the official squad LIST for Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2024.  

IPL 2024 Official Squad List for Mumbai Indians (MI)

Batters: Dewald Brevis (o), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma & Tim David (o)

WKs: Ishan Kishan & Vishnu Vinod

All-rounders: Anshul Kamboj, Arjun Tendulkar, Hardik Pandya (c), Mohammad Nabi (o), Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, Romario Shephard (o), Shams Mulani & Shivalik Sharma 

Bowlers: Akash Madhwal, Dilshan Madhushanka (o), Gerald Coetzee (o), Jason Behrendorff (o), Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Nuwan Thushara (o), Piyush Chawla & Shreyas Gopal

IPL 2024 MI Playing 11 – Batting First

Openers – Rohit Sharma & Ishan Kishan

Rohit Sharma may have been removed or retired as the captain of the Mumbai Indians, but the fact remains that he is still the Indian T20I team captain, and one of MI’s most important players. If there are any indications to go by, we can also see Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan opening in the 2024 T20 World Cup. But before that, this duo will play a key role in the 2024 IPL. 

Middle-order – Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav & Hardik Pandya

With Cameron Green not there, MI have two options to explore for IPL 2024 for the number 3 position. They can play Dewald Brevis at 3 with no Mohammad Nabi or play Tilak Varma at 3 with Mohammad Nabi at 7 or 8. Well, technically, both are good strategies. But with Tilak Varma at 3, SKY and Hardik’s batting can be utilized more, and Nabi may only be needed as a finisher. 

So, expect Mumbai Indians to play Tilak Varma at 3, the world’s number 1 T20 batter, Suryakumar Yadav at 4, and the world’s best All-rounder, Hardik Pandya at 5. This is as strong as it can get, and the fact that the top 5 are all Indians, makes it even more strong with Mumbai Indians then utilizing a strong overseas bowling lineup. 

Finishers – Tim David & Nehal Wadhera & Mohammad Nabi

Coming to the finishers for Mumbai Indians while batting first, the MI team can afford to play a bowler less due to the impact player rule. Thus, expect Mumbai Indians to bring in Nehal Wadhera in place of either Piyush Chawla or Akash Madhwal. Aside from Nehal Wadhera, the finishing duties shall also rely on Tim David and Mohammad Nabi. Once again, this has got to the strongest batting lineup in the entire competition. 

Bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Behrendorff & Gerald Coetzee

Coming to the bowling lineup, Mumbai Indians have a strong set of pacers with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pack. Given Mumbai Indians’ playing 11 combination, they can afford to play 2 overseas pacers in the side. The team currently has four overseas pacers, but the two that are most-likely to start are Jason Behrendorff and Gerald Coetzee. As the tournament progresses, we should also see Romario Shephard, Dilshan Madhushanka, and Nuwan Thushara. 

IPL 2024 Playing 11 for Mumbai Indians (MI) – Batting First:

Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Mohammad Nabi, Gerald Coetzee, Jason Behrendorff & Jasprit Bumrah. 

So, that’s about playing 11 for Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024 while batting first. In addition to the bowlers mentioned above, MI will mostly bring in Piyush Chawla or Akash Madhwal in place of Nehal Wadhera as the impact player depending on the pitch. With Piyush or Akash coming in, Mumbai Indians have 6 good bowling options to explore.  

IPL 2024 Playing 11 for Mumbai Indians (MI) – Bowling First:

Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Piyush Chawla, Gerald Coetzee, Jason Behrendorff & Jasprit Bumrah. 

IPL 2024 MI Playing 11 Alternate Options:

#1: IPL 2024 MI Playing 11 – Dewald Brevis for Mohammad Nabi

If Mumbai Indians play Dewald Brevis in place of Mohammad Nabi, they don’t have to play Nehal Wadhera at all. Instead, the MI can team can play Akash Madhwal while bowling first, and get in Dewald Brevis as the impact player for Akash Madhwal. While this makes batting slightly weaker, it does make bowling slightly stronger.

#2: IPL 2024 MI Playing 11 – Akash Madhwal for Piyush Chawla

Another change that the Mumbai Indians team can ponder upon is playing only one of Piyush Chawla or Akash Madhwal depending on the pitch. While Piyush remains the first-choice bowler for Mumbai Indians, they can ponder upon bringing in Akash Madhwal in Piyush’s place for pace-friendly wickets. This will give MI a good death bowling option.

#3: IPL 2024 MI Playing 11 – Pace Bowling Backups

Finally, talking about the pace bowling backups for MI, there are plenty to look forward to. While Gerald Coetzee and Jason Behrendorff may be the first-choice pacers for MI, the team has there more PACERS in the form of Romario Shephard, Nuwan Thushara, and Dilshan Madhushanka. This is a great headache to have for Hardik Pandya, who will certainly enjoy being in this dilemma. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your strongest playing 11 for MI for IPL 2024? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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ALSO READ: IPL 2024: Confirmed Final Squad List for All 10 Teams Post Auction

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