The Mumbai Indians have twice won the Indian Premier League title and will be looking to become the first side to win the tournament three times when they set off in IPL10 later in the week. Backed by a passionate crowd and with some of the biggest names in the game lining up for them they are always considered a side to watch and this year is no different.
Stats
Last Season: 5th
Captain: Rohit Sharma
Key Players: Kieron Pollard & Lasith Malinga
Best Odds: 6/1
Predicted Finish Position: Playoffs
Fixtures
Thursday April 6 – Rising Pune Supergiants (a)
Sunday April 9 – Kolkata Knight Riders (h)
Wednesday April 12 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (h)
Friday April 14 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (a)
Sunday April 16 – Gujarat Lions (h)
Thursday April 20 – Kings XI Punjab (a)
Saturday April 22 – Delhi Daredevils (h)
Monday April 24 – Rising Pune Supergiants (h)
Saturday April 29 – Gujarat Lions (a)
Monday May 1 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (h)
Saturday May 6 – Delhi Daredevils (a)
Monday May 8 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (h)
Thursday May 11 – Kings XI Punjab (h)
Saturday May 13 – Kolkata Knight Riders (a)
Auction
Most expensive signing: Karn Sharma
Other notable signings: Mitchell Johnson, Nicholas Pooran, Asela Gunaratne
Strengths
The bowling looks to be the strength of this Mumbai Indians outfit. With Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Johnson and Jasprit Bumrah around there is going to be a seriously tough start for whoever faces the Indians. This attack is that strong that the likes of Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan and Vinay Kumar could be looking for injuries to force their way into the side.
Weaknesses
Last season they couldn’t find a settled top three and ended up having to send some pinch hitters up the order to try and maximise the batting powerplay. Their signings in the off season haven’t really done much to plug that gap either. Rohit Sharma returns from five months out and if he takes time to find his form the side could be heavily affected.
Betting
That inactivity for Rohit Sharma could open up the top batsman market a little especially if Mumbai are going to bat Jos Buttler at number three. He is a huge talent but he hasn’t got the best record in India and on a batting paradise like the Wankhede you wouldn’t think anyone lower than three will get enough time at the crease.
I’m a little disappointed that Asela Gunaratne is unlikely to get into the side to begin with so that leaves Rohit’s opening partner Parthiv Patel. Patel didn’t have the best of series last year but he has been scoring some decent runs in limited overs cricket domestically and a continuation of that should see him close in a batting line up where there are question marks over all the major players.
Tips
WON – Back P.Patel Top Mumbai Indians Season Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 6.50 with Betfair
Back him here:
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