IPL is one tournament that has faced so many hurdles in the last two years, but has found support from different entities for its successful conduct. While the first leg of IPL 2021 was conducted in India amidst the normality of the pandemic, the leg is rescheduled to UAE, which had also came to BCCI’s rescue in 2020.
The second leg of IPL 2021 kicks-off with two of the most successful teams in IPL history, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. A blockbuster Sunday is expected as they are the only two teams to have not made even a single change in their team roster.
Mumbai Indians have a fairly settled combination when it comes to their playing 11. The only question they would have if all their players are available is the choice of the fourth overseas player.
While Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, and Trent Boult are confirmed starters, it will boil down to a pacer or pace-bowling all-rounder for the fourth spot. Looking at the current squad, Adam Milne, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Marco Jansen, and James Neesham are among the probables to seal that spot.
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If IPL 2020’s history is to be seen, Mumbai Indians need someone who can be lethal in the middle overs. That’s where the pace of Adam Milne can help. Apart from bowling a couple of overs in the powerplay, Milne can be useful in the middle overs.
Apart from the above change, MI will stick to Captain Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock at the top and SKY, Kishan for the middle-order. Hardik, Krunal, and Pollard will be the all-rounders. Whereas Rahul Chahar will be the spinner and Boult-Bumrah will be the leading pacers.
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Similar to Chennai Super Kings, CSK would have Ideally worried about the choice of the fourth overseas player. But the injury to Faf du Plessis and the unavailability of Sam Curran due to quarantine rules means, CSK will have to take two big call on their replacements.
While Faf du Plessis’ availability is still unknown, if he is declared unfit on the match day, Robin Uthappa could be asked to open. Sam Curran would have been a sure shot choice for the pace all-rounder. But he is currently under quarantine, and will not be available for the first game. Had Sam Curran been fit, CSK could have asked Moeen Ali to open.
This would have been an ideal change given that it makes the bowling attack a bit stronger. However, with Sam unavailable, CSK would need an extra batter at the top. Also, CSK are most-likely to play Dwayne Bravo as the pace all-rounder in the squad.
The choice for the fourth overseas spot between Josh Hazlewood, Imran Tahir, and Lungi Ngidi shall completely come down to the pitch. If it is expected to assist spin, Imran Tahir would be an ideal bet. However, if it assists pace, it should with between Josh Hazlewood or Lungi Ngidi with the former being preferred more.
Predicted Playing 11 for Mumbai Indians:
Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Adam Milne, Jasprit Bumrah & Trent Boult.
Predicted Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings:
Robin Uthappa, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar & Josh Hazlewood.
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